Boat Iftar Party in River Ganga: 14 Men Arrested
A viral video of a group holding an iftar party on a boat in the Ganga in Varanasi led to controversy, police action, and the arrest of all 14 men involved.
During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, and in the evening they gather to break their fast, a moment known as iftar.
Recently, a video from Varanasi has gone viral on social media. It shows a group of 14 men organizing an iftar gathering on a boat in the middle of the Ganga River on March 17, 2026. They had booked a large boat and traveled from Assi Ghat to Namo Ghat. During the journey, they first offered namaz on the boat and then broke their fast with dates and fruits.
Another clip shows them later eating chicken biryani from a large vessel. It is also alleged that they threw leftover bones and waste into the river.
The incident sparked controversy. BJP city president Rajat Jaiswal filed a police complaint, accusing the group of hurting religious sentiments, polluting the river, and creating a public nuisance. He emphasized that the Ganga is deeply sacred to followers of the Hindu faith, with countless devotees visiting daily for rituals and prayers. He also demanded strict action against those involved, including the cancellation of the boatman’s license.
Police officials stated that all 14 individuals seen in the video were identified, and teams were sent to locate them. When authorities reached them, a scuffle reportedly took place. Eventually, all 14 men were arrested and taken to the police station, where a case was registered against them.
