From the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, a video has become viral on the internet, in which foreigners wearing bikinis were bathing and enjoying at the sacred Ganga Ghat in Rishikesh.
As a result, it has triggered mixed reaction among users, with many condemning the tarnishing of city’s image as a hub of yoga and spirituality.
The handle ‘Himalayan Hindu’ condemned the transformation of sacred Ganga River into beach like Goa.
Taking to X, the handle wrote ‘Thank you @pushkardhami for turning Pavitra Ganga (holy river Ganga) into Goa Beach. Such things are now happening in Rishikesh & soon it will become Mini Bangkok.’
Thank you @pushkardhami for turning Pavitra Ganga into Goa Beach. Such things are now happening in #Rishikesh & soon it will become Mini Bangkok. https://t.co/5nbB86FfZK pic.twitter.com/VnOtRkWPXM
— Himalayan Hindu (@himalayanhindu) April 26, 2024
Later, many netizens condemned this act with one saying, ‘What kind of obscenity have you allowed in Uttarakhand in the name of tourism? Every ten steps there’s a liquor shop, illegal businesses, marijuana, etc.’
Another sadly commented, ‘This is no longer a city of yoga and spirituality.’ Third User said, ‘What’s wrong with Rishikesh?.’
But in contrast, many had an opposite opinion, with many saying, that criticism is unnecessary.
With one user saying ‘Just b’coz they are non-Indians, doesn’t really mean you need to hate them, look at them, they are wearing malas & have tattoos of Hinduism, they are happy to get a chance of taking a dip into the ganges, in the end they are praying, u are judging their wear but not their intention.’
While another user also said similar thing saying, ‘There’s nothing wrong here. If you have a problem with clothing, then there’s an issue with your upbringing. Don’t behave like an extremist who takes their spouse to the beach in a burqa or full clothing.’
These types of incidents usually underscore debate between modern world and traditional values and how to strike balance between them among people from time-to-time.
