A brief exchange caught on camera near Mumbai’s Gateway of India has set off a wider conversation on civic behavior and environmental responsibility. In a video circulating on social media, a man is seen allegedly dumping garbage into the sea, prompting a foreign tourist to react with visible disapproval.
The clip, shared on When questioned, the man offers no response and walks away, while the tourist remarks that such behavior “is not good”.
The video has struck a chord online, with users expressing embarrassment and frustration over littering at one of Mumbai’s most recognizable landmarks. Many argued that such moments, especially when witnessed by visitors, highlight gaps in civic awareness and enforcement.
A user wrote, “I don’t know when we Indians learn civics sense.”
Another user wrote on like this.”
“This is a good thing that videos are being made and people are being shamed. Let’s hope it becomes a trend,” the third user wrote on X.
“How can these people be so stupid. This is so basic that no education, awareness is needed. Some things should be inherent. Itni bewakoof public kaise ho sakti,” the fourth wrote.
“This kind of blatant disregard for our environment needs swift and decisive action. While a fine is a start, the real deterrent will be a public shaming and a penalty that truly hurts. We need to ensure Mumbai Police and BMC don’t just identify him, but make an example of him to prevent others from following suit,” the fifth wrote.
Several users also pointed out that iconic public spaces require stricter monitoring and deterrents, including fines, to prevent repeat offenses. While civic bodies have acted against littering in earlier cases, the identity of the person in the video remains unknown.
The incident has once again underscored a familiar challenge: keeping India’s most visited landmarks clean depends as much on public behavior as it does on enforcement.
