A controversy has arisen in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, due to an Iftar gathering held on the Ganga River. Police reported that 14 individuals were detained for allegedly consuming chicken biryani and disposing of its leftovers in the river.
A widely circulated video on X depicted 14 individuals breaking their iftar on boats on the Ganges River. These men were detained following a complaint by Rajat Jaiswal, the president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in Varanasi city, who alleged that they disposed of chicken biryani leftovers into the river.
On Monday, a video gained widespread attention, allegedly depicting a group hosting an Iftar event on a boat on the Ganga, where they were seen eating biryani, according to Vijay Pratap Singh, the additional commissioner of police, on Tuesday.
A case has been filed under sections 298 (desecration of a place of worship), 299 (intentional act to offend religious sentiments), 196(1)(B) (inciting hostility), 270 (causing public nuisance), 279 (contaminating water of a public spring or reservoir), and 223(B) (failure to comply with an order lawfully issued by a public official) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
What are the claims?
According to Jaiswal, the individuals threw chicken biryani and chicken bones into the river during their iftar. His complaint states that this was done "intentionally" to offend Hindu sentiments.
Jaiswal stated that the Ganga is a symbol of profound and unwavering faith for adherents of Sanatan Dharma. Every day, thousands of devotees from both India and around the globe travel to Kashi to conduct rituals and offer prayers with Ganga water.
He mentioned that this action has offended religious feelings.
Although the viral video depicts the men consuming a meal on a boat on the Ganga river, it does not capture them throwing bones and leftovers into the water.
The police have stated that they are looking into the accusations against the individuals.
At the same time, a different video has gained popularity on social media, depicting a separate group of men having iftar on a boat on the Ganga. This video seems unrelated to the arrest of the other 14 men.
The Gyanvapi Mosque management committee denounces the action
In the midst of the controversy, SM Yaseen, the joint secretary of the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee, has expressed criticism towards the young people.
It was revealed that some uninformed people were organizing a roza iftar on a boat. Iftar is a strictly religious practice and not meant to be a social event or a picnic. It is essential to perform the Maghrib prayers right after Iftar. Thus, holding a roza iftar on a boat contradicts religious principles. Such actions are unacceptable.
The Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee (AIMC) is the Muslim administrative organization tasked with managing the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi.