Iftaar on Ganga: Varanasi Police on Tuesday arrested 14 individuals on charges of organising an Iftaar party aboard boats on the Holy Ganga River and disposing of the food waste into the water, they said. The police took the action after a video of the act went viral on social media, prompting complaints and a probe. [caption id="attachment_1208" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Representative image[/caption]

All accused employed at Saree shops

According to the police, the incident came to light after a video began making rounds online, in which a group of 14 men was hosting Iftaar on boats. In the video, the men were spotted consuming chicken biryani on the boats and discarded the bones into the Ganga. Acting on the footage, the police plunged into action and detained all of them. As per police, the arrested accused are in their 20s and are employed at local saree shops. 

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vijay Pratap Singh told the media that all of them are being questioned regarding their intent and the circumstances surrounding the gathering. Meanwhile, the authorities have cited concerns over both religious sentiments and environmental violations.

[caption id="attachment_1210" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Ganga River[/caption]

Iftaar on Ganga: Hindu outfit member lodges complaint

The police said that an FIR was registered against the group after a complaint was received from Rajat Jasiwal, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. As alleged in the complaint, the actions of the accused have hurt the sentiments of the followers of Sanatan Dharma, who regard the water body as their mother. A case has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections pertaining to outraging religious feelings, promoting enmity, and public nuisance. Authorities said they have also invoked the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act against the accused. 

Action against boat operator likely too

Complainant Jaiswal has urged the authorities to initiate legal action against the boat operator too, including cancellation of his license and imposition of penalties on him. The police said that appropriate legal steps shall be taken on the basis of the findings of the probe.