Japanese tourists harassed, forced to apologise over attire and ‘disrespect’ to the Ganga at Varanasi

A viral video showing a group of Japanese tourists allegedly facing harassment over their attire at the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, drew sharp reactions on social media, prompting a broader conversation on hospitality towards foreign visitors.

The incident occurred, reportedly on December 25, when the group of tourists, wearing Santa hats and red swimwear, were preparing to bathe in the Ganga. Some local people objected to their attire and ‘behaviour’, accusing them of disrespecting the sanctity of the river and one of them of urinating in the river.

“In this incident, the Japanese tourists were confronted by other visitors about an inappropriate act while bathing, after which the tourists apologised and the dispute was resolved. No physical violence or assault occurred,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Kashi Zone, in a statement on Monday (December 29, 2025). No formal complaint has been recorded over the incident.

Social media users and Opposition parties targeted the government and the ‘anti-social elements’ involved in the incident, calling them enemies of Varanasi. They said the city is spiritual, yet foreign guests are publicly humiliated by some ignorant people. “Japanese tourists were mobbed, harassed, and verbally abused in Varanasi — then forced to apologise for wearing a swimsuit and a Santa Claus hat. Let that sink in. A country that claims ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, a city that calls itself spiritual, yet guests are publicly humiliated by a mob,” wrote a user on X.

“Varanasi represents a pluralistic identity and is a major tourist centre where people from across the world visit. Such an incident as the harassment of Japanese nationals will damage the reputation of our spiritual centre. The government and administration must seriously look into the matter and protect the cultural distinctiveness of the city,” said Juhi Singh, national spokesperson, the Samajwadi Party (SP).

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai, who fought the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Varanasi, said such incidents had never occurred before in Varanasi, and the culture of intolerance practised by the ruling regime was responsible for this incident. “Such incidents never happened in Varanasi. Locals respect international visitors as Kashi is India’s spiritual capital. But, since the BJP came to power, a kind of intolerance and bullying attitude is visible among their supporters, which leads to such occurrences. We condemn any kind of harassment of any person,” Mr. Rai said.