Police in Ayodhya have arrested three men after a video allegedly showing them eating meat and consuming alcohol on a boat on the Saryu River went viral. The incident reportedly took place near Guptaar Ghat, a location visited by devotees and considered religiously significant. According to police officials, the video showed four young men on a boat consuming food and alcohol on the river. Circle Officer (City) Shriyash Tripathi said three individuals have been arrested, while one person shown in the video remains absconding.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Lavkush Nishad, Jitendra Nishad and Rajkumar Nishad. Police alleged that their actions hurt the sentiments of devotees who consider the Saryu River sacred and initiated legal action following the circulation of the video. Authorities began investigating the matter after the video gained attention on social media. Police teams identified the individuals seen in the footage and took action against those allegedly involved.

The incident has sparked discussion due to the religious importance attached to the Saryu River in Ayodhya. The river is closely associated with the city's cultural and spiritual identity and attracts a large number of pilgrims throughout the year. This is not the first such incident involving alleged consumption of non-vegetarian food and alcohol at a religious river site. In June, police in Varanasi arrested five people after a video reportedly showed them cooking chicken and drinking beer on a boat on the Ganga River.

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Authorities have previously taken action in similar cases involving activities considered disrespectful at religious locations. Police officials have said that maintaining public order and respecting sentiments associated with places of worship remain important considerations while handling such incidents. The Ayodhya police are continuing their investigation to gather further details about the incident and the involvement of the remaining accused.

Officials are also examining the circumstances under which the video was recorded and shared online. The case has once again highlighted the challenges faced by authorities in managing public behaviour at religious and heritage sites, particularly when videos of alleged violations circulate widely on social media. Further legal action against the accused will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation. Police officials have indicated that appropriate action will be taken based on available evidence and applicable laws.

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