14 arrested in Varanasi for eating chicken biryani on boat in Ganga sent to judicial custody

The Incident That Sparked Controversy

On March 16, 2026, a group of fourteen men, all local residents in their twenties employed at saree shops, organized what they allegedly intended as a social media reel on a boat in the Ganga river in Varanasi. The gathering, held during Iftar—the meal taken to break the fast during Ramadan—involved the consumption of chicken biryani. However, what followed would spark significant outrage: the group discarded the leftovers and bones directly into the river, which holds profound religious significance for millions of Hindus across India.

A video of the incident was recorded and subsequently shared on social media platforms, where it rapidly gained attention. The footage, which clearly showed the group consuming non-vegetarian food and disposing of waste into the Ganga, triggered widespread criticism from various sections of society who viewed the act as disrespectful to the sacred river's spiritual importance.

Complaint and Police Investigation

The case came to light publicly on Monday, March 17, 2026, when a video of the incident surfaced online. Following the circulation of the footage, a written complaint was filed by Rajat Jaiswal, the city unit chief of BJP Yuva Morcha, at the Kotwali police station in Varanasi. Jaiswal highlighted the religious sentiments involved and the apparent deliberate nature of the action, which he characterized as an intentional attempt to hurt the feelings of Hindu devotees.

Police authorities swiftly moved to action after verifying the authenticity of the video. The officers identified the accused individuals through the footage and conducted a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. During questioning, authorities sought to understand the motive behind recording and sharing the video, with officials noting that the gathering appeared to have been organized specifically for creating social media content.

According to the boatman's statement and eyewitness accounts presented to the court, the accused had allegedly threatened the boat operator and forcibly taken him along before conducting the gathering on his vessel. This aspect of the case led investigators to consider adding additional charges, including kidnapping, against the accused.

Legal Action and Charges

Following their arrest, the fourteen accused individuals were booked under multiple legal provisions. The First Information Report included charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections relating to defiling a place of worship with intent to insult religion, deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings, promoting enmity between groups on grounds of religion, public nuisance, and fouling water of a public reservoir. Additionally, provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, were invoked in the case.

The accused were presented before Additional Civil Judge (Sr.Div.) Amit Kumar Yadav on Thursday, March 20, 2026, where their bail applications were filed and subsequently rejected. The judge ordered all fourteen accused to be remanded in 14-day judicial custody pending further investigation and trial proceedings.

The Ganga holds deep and unshakeable faith for the followers of Sanatan Dharma. Thousands of devotees from across the country and the world visit Kashi every day to perform rituals and offer prayers using Ganga water. In such a situation, eating biryani on a boat in the middle of the river and throwing its leftovers into the water is completely inappropriate.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Vijay Pratap Singh stated that the investigation remains ongoing to determine the full scope of the incident and establish the exact intentions behind the act. He emphasized that all actions being taken are in strict accordance with established legal procedures and that further developments are expected as authorities continue their examination of the case.

The complaint also sought action against the boat operator, including the potential cancellation of the vessel's operating license. Saffron leaders and various community representatives have similarly called for strict measures against those involved in facilitating the event, highlighting the need for protecting the sanctity of religious spaces and sentiments.

This incident has reignited discussions about the balance between individual freedoms and religious sensitivities, particularly in areas of significant spiritual importance. The case reflects growing concerns about the use of social media to document and share acts that many consider deliberately provocative or disrespectful to established religious traditions and sacred spaces.

The authorities have made clear that the investigation is comprehensive and ongoing, with police committed to ensuring that all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined. The judicial proceedings will continue as the case moves through the legal system, with outcomes potentially setting precedents for similar matters in the future.