Lucknow/Ayodhya: The Ayodhya police has detained four men after a video purportedly showing them consuming beer and mutton on a boat in the middle of the Saryu near Guptar Ghat went viral, triggering outrage among devotees and religious leaders.Ayodhya Cantt police said the video surfaced on Sunday, though it is believed to have been recorded about four days ago. The exact date and time of the get-together are still being verified.The footage shows four men seated on a boat midstream, eating mutton and drinking beer while recording the get together on a mobile phone.The person filming the video introduces his three companions, describing them as friends who had organised a “goat meat party”.He is heard asking one of the men about the taste of the mutton, to which he responds, “very good… first class”. The man then says everyone enjoyed the party and adds that he hopes they can hold similar parties every month or two.Police said all four men are residents of Guptar Ghat area and earn their livelihood by operating boats on the Saryu.Circle officer (city) Shriyash Tripathi said that police initiated an inquiry and detained them for questioning.Station house officer, Cantonment police station, Sandeep Singh said, “The video is being examined and legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.”Mahant Ramdas of Hanumangarhi Naka condemned the act, calling it a disrespect to the sanctity of the Saryu and an affront to the religious sentiments of devotees. He demanded strict legal action against the accused.The case follows similar incidents in Uttar Pradesh, including police action in Varanasi, where five people were arrested over allegations of consuming chicken and beer on a boat in the Ganga, and an earlier case in which 14 people were arrested after a video purportedly showed an ‘iftar’ with chicken biryani on a boat.
