Varanasi iftar on Ganga: 14 arrested over 'biryani leftovers', police cite 'religious hurt, pollution'

Representative image

• Fourteen men detained after Iftar gathering on boats in the Ganga
• Police probe alleged religious offence and river pollution
• FIR filed under multiple BNS sections and Water Pollution Act

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Fourteen men in their 20s were detained by Varanasi police after a video of an Iftar gathering on boats in the Ganga surfaced online, prompting an investigation into alleged religious offence and pollution, according to a report by The Indian Express.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Vijay Pratap Singh said the action followed a clip circulating on social media. “We are currently investigating the motive and questioning them. Action is being taken against the accused in accordance with the law,” he has been quoted as saying.

The group, identified as local saree shop workers, had reportedly organised the outing on Sunday and filmed it, allegedly for a reel.

According to the complaint, the Ganga is deeply revered in Sanatan Dharma, with devotees visiting daily to perform rituals and partake of its sacred water.

It alleges the men consumed chicken biryani during the gathering and discarded leftovers into the river, an act said to have hurt religious sentiments and sparked public anger.

The FIR was registered on a complaint by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha district president Rajat Jaiswal. Police have invoked multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 298, 299, 196, 270 and 223, along with provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.

Section 298 has provisions for injuring or defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class, while section 299 talks about deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.

Section 196 covers promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony, section 270 public nuisance and section 223 has provisions for disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant.

Authorities are also examining the role of the boat operator, with the complainant urging cancellation of the licence and issuance of a challan.