Controversies are swirling around the Mahakumbh Mela 2025 as shocking allegations of privacy violations surface, involving the sale of videos and images capturing women bathing and changing clothes at the event. Police have filed FIRs against several social media accounts for allegedly exchanging such intimate content on various platforms.
This situation emerged after reports highlighted how women’s privacy was compromised, with recordings taken without consent and sold for substantial amounts on platforms like Telegram. Disturbingly, some videos reportedly fetched prices ranging from ₹1,900 to ₹4,000, raising serious questions about privacy and ethics at this major religious gathering.
According to police sources, the FIRs were filed at the Kumbh Police Station after discovering digital content related to women bathing and changing their clothes being marketed for ₹1,999 on the Telegram platform. An investigation is underway, with authorities focusing on multiple accounts implicated in these actions.
Video footage showing women bathing at the Sangam—a revered confluence of rivers—is being illegally distributed, prompting law enforcement to take drastic measures. The police reported complaints of such incidents and have assigned investigators to track down these accounts and any individuals involved.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, some reports suggest these videos and photos might have connections to the dark web, where privacy violations could potentially lead to more serious legal ramifications. For example, FIRs have been lodged against notable social media accounts like 'Girls Live Video' and 'Desi Bhabi Ji' among others, which allegedly shared video content depicting women during private moments.
Surprisingly, Gujarat police recently arrested three individuals accused of hacking CCTV cameras across public spaces—hospitals and malls—to record private moments of women. They profited by reselling these videos on social media for prices ranging from ₹500 to ₹3,000. This incident raises alarming concerns about the security of public surveillance systems and women’s safety.
Political figures, including Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, have condemned the government's inability to protect women’s dignity during such significant events. Yadav criticized the ruling party’s failure, stating, “The BJP government has failed to uphold the respect of women at the Mahakumbh.” He urged immediate actions from both the Uttar Pradesh and National Women’s Commissions to address these privacy violations.
The FIRs against these social media platforms and the perpetrators are but part of the broader issue of privacy rights at religious gatherings. The visuals are not just crude violations of privacy; they signify societal indifference to the sanctity of sacred spaces where millions seek solace and spirituality.
Officials have reported over 56 crore attendees participating since the commencement of the Mahakumbh, with the gathering being one of the largest religious events globally. Yet, safety measures and technology monitoring practices seem to lag behind such massive mobilization of crowds.
Prevailing public sentiment indicates rising outrage, especially among women who are feeling increasingly insecure and violated. Social media accounts, which thrived on promoting shared moments from this religious affair, now face scrutiny for their engagements and share of the content violating individuals' rights.
The repercussions of selling such intimate moments are creating waves not just among the attendees but also within the broader societal framework where women seek respect and dignity. The issue remains painfully relevant, as violations surface with faster dissemination methods like the dark web or through monetized content over popular platforms.
Though the incident can initially appear isolated, it unveils broader systemic flaws within areas like digital privacy, the ethical usage of social media, and the protection of women’s rights and dignity during mass public events. The conversation surrounding the safeguarding measures at such gatherings has grown increasingly loud and persistent, signaling potential reform and awareness objectives needed to establish safety protocols moving forward.
Further investigations are anticipated to clarify the extent of these violations and hold accountable those perpetrated against women. Netizens are now calling for more stringent measures to secure both their dignity and safety from voyeuristic intrusions on social media platforms.
Echoing these concerns, common attendees report feeling hesitant to freely engage with the spirituality of the Mahakumbh, burdened by worries about their images and videos falling prey to exploitation.
This rising tide of criticism surrounding privacy violations at the Mahakumbh Mela emphasizes the necessity of merging technology with effective law enforcement to safeguard people's dignity during such sacred events. How society and authorities respond to these challenges may define the integrity of such significant cultural gatherings moving forward.