Five people have been arrested in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi after a video circulated showing them cooking chicken and drinking beer aboard a boat in the holy River Ganga. The video, which has now gone viral on the internet, sparked outrage among netizens and prompted the authorities to take strict action.
5 Arrested For Consuming Chicken & Beer On Boat In River Ganga
देखो न गाइज…
गंगा नदी में चलती नाव में दारू- मुर्गा पार्टी हो रही है.बकायदा ब्लॉग बनाया जा रहा है.
सभी लड़कों का नाम भी लिया जा रहा है.
वीडियो वाराणसी का बताया जा रहा है.. pic.twitter.com/UaIqhVnI8T
— Mahesh Amrawanshi (@MaheshAmravans1) June 23, 2026
River Ganga is considered sacred, which is why the video showing five people cooking chicken and drinking beer triggered nationwide anger. According to India Today, the incident happened amid ongoing discussions by authorities on restricting meat and fish sales in parts of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
The incident, which took place on a boat near Dashashwamedh Ghat, shows several men cooking chicken on the boat and drinking beer. Songs can also be heard playing in the background in the video posted by X user, @MaheshAmravans1.
Police have now detained the individuals seen in the footage after the video went viral online. The accused have been identified as Deepak Kumar, Ajay Sahani, Arun Kumar Sahani, Anurag Nishad and Rahul Sahani. A case was registered at Dashashwamedh police station. The boat seen in the viral video was also seized by the police.
Also Read: This 30-YO Café Is India’s First Pizzeria, And It’s Right By The River Ganga In Varanasi
Officials Urge Boat Operators And Visitors To Avoid Such Activities
ACP Dashashwamedh Atul Anjan Tripathi shared with India Today that the police wasted no time in taking action. The video is speculated to be an old one. Some of the accused are seen wearing warm clothing like jackets. However, the authorities are keeping an eye on the situation.
The officer also urged both local boat operators and visitors from outside to avoid engaging in such activities. These activities not only hurt public sentiments, but such violations can also invite strict legal action.
Also Read: Yoga Day 2026: Indian Navy Performs Underwater Yoga; Kolkata Attempts Record With 500 Boats
Have you seen the viral video? What are your thoughts on this incident?
Cover Image Courtesy: @MaheshAmravans1/X
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FAQs
Why were five people recently arrested in Varanasi?
Five people were arrested after a viral video showed them cooking chicken and drinking beer on a boat in the River Ganga.