The viral video hails from Varanasi’s famous Namo Ghat when a panipuri seller sees something shameful, which directly breaks the rule of spirituality and devotion.
Thus is one of the most important days of Varanasi, known as Dev Deepawali, also called the “Diwali of the Gods,” which falls fifteen days after Diwali on Kartik Purnima, the full moon day.
Thousands gather every year along the holy River Ganga and watch the city light up with countless traditional clay lamps, called diyas.
Shameful Pee Act Near the Ghat
But celebrations this year at Namo Ghat took an unappealing, shocking turn when a video surfaced online of a few people relieving themselves openly in public, which evoked widespread anger and debate on hygiene and civic sense in India.
The disturbing video, which went viral soon, showed three men peeing in plain sight at the ghat. The camera also captured the flow of their urine directly into the holy Ganga.
People peeing on the Namo-ghat on Dev-Deepwali.
One Vendor is selling something edible next to them.
Others are just walking by.
Welcome to Indian Civic sense. pic.twitter.com/ozSXl7aOig
— Tarun Gautam (@TARUNspeakss) November 8, 2025
Adding to the shock was that just a few meters away, a panipuri vendor was busy selling snacks, and people were seen eating there, while others passed by unbothered by this sight of disrespect.
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Is this Indian civic sense?
The video was captioned with sharp criticism for the situation: “People peeing on the Namo Ghat on Dev Deepwali. Welcome to Indian civic sense.”
While seeing the viral video, people are shocked and angry as well as disappointed. They could not believe the blatant lack of hygiene and respect for a sacred site during such a major religious festival.
One said it was “disgusting beyond words,” while sarcastically referring to it as “Incredible India,” where devotion seemed to end right outside the temple.
Another user referred to this as “classic Indian civic sense,” where “some pee, some sell, some stroll.” Disregard for Sanctity and Public Health For many, it was not a minor mistake but a reflection of a serious problem within society as a whole.
One commenter averred that the scene was “appalled by the visuals.” They stated that “Defiling a holy river during a festival shows a deep disregard for both sanctity and public health.”
The furious reaction online brought up a sense of this being “civic failure”: a sad disconnection from celebrations of purity to failures in respect for spaces viewed as public and sacred.
Users underlined that strict rules and citizen responsibility are necessary in ensuring that the public environment is clean and respected.
