Clashes Between Tourism and Religion Spark Criticism of Hindu Nationalism
Political Circles Join Debate Amid Discrimination Controversy Spreading to Foreigners
Recently, controversy has been growing online as a video has spread showing Japanese tourists being subjected to collective verbal harassment by locals at the Ganges River in Varanasi, the largest Hindu holy site in northern India, during their Christmas visit. On December 31, Yonhap News, citing local media such as the Times of India (TOI), reported that Japanese tourists were seen getting into a dispute with some locals while preparing to bathe in the Ganges River.
The incident occurred around December 25, and two days later, on December 27, a video was posted on social media, bringing the issue to public attention. The video shows Japanese tourists wearing swimsuits and Santa hats as they prepare to enjoy the water in the Ganges. However, some locals who witnessed this expressed strong displeasure and began shouting at the tourists, even accusing them of "urinating in the sacred river." However, no objective evidence or proof has been presented to support this claim so far.
Despite their apparent embarrassment, the Japanese tourists in the video repeatedly put their hands together and apologized, but as time passed, more locals gathered around, worsening the situation. The tourists were eventually forced to sit on the riverside steps and continue apologizing, with some locals seen shouting at them from close range. Local police stated that no official complaint was filed immediately after the incident, but after the video spread, authorities recognized the seriousness of the matter and launched an investigation.
"They say guests are treated like gods"...Criticism spreads in and outside India
Indian and international netizens who watched the video strongly criticized the incident, saying, "India's tradition of treating guests like gods is meaningless," and calling it "mob bullying driven by herd mentality." Some pointed out that "this incident has damaged India's international image." Meanwhile, even among Varanasi residents, there were voices of self-reflection. Some locals defended the tourists, saying, "It was wrong to accuse tourists from Japan, a friendly country, without any evidence."
Political circles immediately voiced criticism as well. A representative from the Uttar Pradesh branch of the Indian National Congress (INC), the main opposition party in the Indian federal parliament, said, "It is even more serious that this incident occurred in Varanasi, Prime Minister Modi's constituency," urging the state government to analyze CCTV footage near the scene and strictly punish the perpetrators. He went on to criticize, "After religious minorities such as Muslims and Catholics, now even foreigners are becoming targets of attack," and added, "Harassing foreigners for trivial reasons such as wearing a Santa hat reflects the lawless atmosphere and distorted mob culture in the state."
Recurring similar incidents...Concerns over clashes between tourism and religion
In India, there have been repeated cases in the past where foreign tourists have faced conflicts at religious sites due to differences in customs. In 2018, a foreign female tourist in Rajasthan was publicly reprimanded by a group over her attire near a temple, and in 2022, a Western tourist in Haridwar was embroiled in controversy over "desecration of a holy site" while filming yoga.
Experts have pointed out that "without proper guidance and management regarding cultural differences in religious spaces, the combination of Hindu nationalist sentiment and mob mentality can lead to recurring safety issues for foreign tourists."
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