Video of man dipping feet in UK's Thames is viral: 'Why are Indians doing this?'

Screenshots from the viral video. (Image credit: @wtf_praveen/X)

A video of a man dipping his feet in the River Thames in central London has gone viral, sparking cultural debate and renewed concerns over water safety. The waterbody is also known for its highly polluted waters. Last year, environmental charity River Action found dangerously high levels of E. coli in the river last year, raising questions about the risks of such acts, the BBC reported.

The clip, widely shared on X, shows the man, possibly of South Asian descent, standing at the river’s edge near a tourist hotspot, occasionally dipping his feet into the waters.

Indian Man Seen Washing Feet In London's Thames River People Angry. why are indians doing this type of stupidity. pic.twitter.com/erGeJ2UReB

Story continues below Advertisement

Remove Ad

— Praveen (@wtf_praveen) November 14, 2025

Video sparks discussion online

Users were quick to weigh in. Some pointed out that there was no evidence to prove that the man was from India. “How come you figured out he’s Indian? People from neighbouring countries have similar features," an X user asked. Another added, "Being an Indian yourself, you must restrain yourself from jumping to a conclusion that maligns India's image."

Others pointed out that the incident would not have blown up if a white person had done it instead. “It’s a tradition to wet your feet in rivers and oceans. If a white tourist did this, no one would comment.”

“Maybe his feet were just sore from sightseeing. People swim in rivers all the time," said another X user.

The debate quickly shifted from cultural norms to environmental hazards. “That water is filthy. No cleaning going on there," commented a social media user.

Pollution concerns
The Thames, a symbol of London’s heritage, is far from pristine. According to The Guardian, water-quality tests revealed E. coli levels up to 10 times higher than the Environment Agency’s threshold for “poor” bathing waters. River Action warned that sewage discharges and misconnected properties are major contributors.

A Thames Water spokesperson said: “There are multiple sources of E. coli in watercourses throughout England, including agriculture run-off, industry, and sewer failures.”

Investigators also flagged the rise of “wet-wipe islands” — large clumps of flushed wipes and plastics — with a significant one near Hammersmith Bridge.

The problem extends beyond London. National assessments show a record number of designated bathing sites across England now rated as “poor,” with several stretches of the Thames failing to meet safety standards.