Katrina Kaif recently visited Varanasi and took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in a VIP section on the occasion of Maha Kumbh. However, videos soon surfaced online showing large crowds surrounding her during the ritual, with many pilgrims attempting to take selfies or capture her reaction.
"Disgusting": Raveena Tandon Slams Viral Video of Katrina Kaif's Holy Dip
Now, another video has emerged that has angered people on social media. In the clip, a group of men can be seen filming Katrina as she prays and takes the dip in the river. The video shows two men recording themselves before turning the camera toward the actor. One of them says, "Ye main hu, ye mera bhai hai, aur ye Katrina Kaif (this is me, this is my brother, and this is Katrina Kaif)," while those around him laugh.
The video has drawn widespread criticism, with many users calling out the men for their behaviour and labelling it as harassment. Among those who condemned the act was actor Raveena Tandon, who commented, "This is disgusting. These kinds of people spoil a moment that is supposed to be peaceful and meaningful."
This incident comes just a week after the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested a man for allegedly recording videos of women bathing and changing clothes during the Maha Kumbh and uploading them on YouTube. Officials confirmed the arrest on February 27. The man has been identified as Amit Kumar Jha, a resident of Hooghly district in West Bengal.
According to a senior police official, the accused admitted during interrogation that he had filmed the videos intending to gain social media followers and monetise his content on YouTube. A case has been registered against him at the Cyber Crime Police Station under sections 296/79 of the BNS, along with relevant provisions of the IT Act, authorities stated.
UP Police Register Cases Over Alleged Sale of Women’s Videos from Maha Kumbh
The Uttar Pradesh Police had registered cases against two social media accounts for allegedly sharing and selling objectionable videos of women pilgrims bathing at the Maha Kumbh on February 19. The police stated that these actions violated the privacy and dignity of the women attending the religious gathering.
The action was taken on the orders of Uttar Pradesh police chief Prashant Kumar as part of an ongoing effort to curb the spread of misleading and offensive content related to the Maha Kumbh. The social media monitoring team identified that some platforms were posting inappropriate videos of women bathing and changing clothes at the Kumbh, prompting immediate legal action. In a statement, the police said, "Cases have been registered at the Kotwali Kumbh Mela police station, and legal proceedings have been initiated."
On February 17, authorities filed a case against an Instagram account accused of posting inappropriate videos of women pilgrims. The police have sought details from Meta, the parent company of Instagram, to identify the person behind the account. Further action, including an arrest, will follow once the necessary information is received. In another case filed on February 19, a Telegram channel was discovered selling similar videos. The police have launched an investigation to track down those responsible, and legal proceedings have begun.
The police have reiterated their commitment to taking strict action against those misusing social media to spread offensive content or misinformation about the Maha Kumbh. They urged people to report such activities and warned that anyone involved in violating people's dignity and privacy will face legal consequences.
The Maha Kumbh, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, saw a staggering 52.83 crore pilgrims in attendance, including some of the biggest names from the film industry, politics, and business. Yet, amid the devotion and faith, the ones targeted were women. If a woman cannot even participate in a revered tradition without the risk of her privacy being shattered and sold online, what does that say about the world we live in?
Through hidden cameras, their privacy was shamelessly violated, turning sacred rituals into moments of exploitation. When a space meant for spiritual awakening becomes yet another ground for digital harassment, it forces us to question just how deep this crisis runs.
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