Varanasi: Months after 14 Muslim youths were arrested for allegedly organising an iftar gathering on a boat in the Ganga and dumping non-vegetarian food waste into the river, a fresh controversy has erupted after a video purportedly showing a group of men cooking meat and consuming alcohol on a boat in the middle of the Ganga went viral on social media. Acting swiftly, police arrested five persons and seized the boat involved in the incident.The viral video, which was widely circulated online, allegedly shows the accused cooking chicken, consuming beer and liquor, and serving non-vegetarian food during a gathering on a boat near Manmandir Ghat under the Dashashwamedh police station area. The message accompanying the video also claimed that the boat was linked to a nominated BJP councillor.According to police, the arrested individuals have been identified as Deepak Kumar, Ajay Sahni, Arun Kumar Sahni, Anurag Nishad and Rahul Sahni, all residents of Varanasi and neighbouring Ramnagar.Following the circulation of the video, police registered a case under Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to promoting enmity and acts allegedly intended to outrage religious sentiments.Police said further investigation is underway to verify the circumstances surrounding the incident and ascertain the ownership and use of the boat featured in the viral video.In March, 14 Muslim youths had been arrested on a written complaint filed by BJP Yuva Morcha city unit chief Rajat Jaiswal. On April 1, a sessions court in Varanasi had denied bail to the accused, saying they appear to have intended to disturb social harmony. In May, the Allahabad high court granted bail to the youths, but observed that their act hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community.On May 22, another controversy erupted after a video showing a youth allegedly consuming beer while bathing in the Ganga in Varanasi went viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage. Acting on the matter, the Dashashwamedh police registered an FIR against an unidentified person and launched an investigation..
