A video from Lohagad Fort in Maharashtra has sparked a heated debate online after a local man was filmed confronting a group of tourists from Delhi for smoking inside the protected heritage site.

The fort falls under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), where smoking, drinking and consuming other intoxicants are strictly banned.

What happened in the video

The clip, shared on X, shows the man questioning the tourists after he spotted them smoking within the fort premises. Visibly annoyed, he asked them, “Who told you to smoke here?”

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The tourists replied that they had no idea smoking was not allowed and said there was no signboard mentioning the rule. Unconvinced, the man told them to use their common sense, saying, “You should have common sense. Would you smoke inside a temple? This fort is our temple.”

Throughout the exchange, the tourists kept insisting they “did not know” smoking was banned at the site. One of them asked the man to stop shouting, while another said the rule was broken unintentionally and not on purpose. Towards the end of the video, the man took away their cigarette packet so they could not smoke again and warned them that he would file a police complaint if he caught them smoking a second time.

Internet reacts with mixed opinions

The video has triggered a wave of reactions online, with people split over how the situation was handled.

Many supported the man’s actions, saying it was important to protect the country’s heritage sites. One user wrote, “Absolutely needed. Common sense should prevail. These are historic places. People have laid down their lives here to protect janta. All historical and religious places should be treated with respect. No one needs to be taught this.”

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Another person strongly backed him, commenting, “Shocked to see shameless people supporting the tourists. If you can’t respect our culture, don’t visit our holy places. This is not a picnic spot; better stay in your s–thole.”

Some users agreed with the rule but felt the approach should have been gentler. One comment read, “In India, smoking in public places is prohibited by law; no need to put a board and no excuse as ‘Pata nahi tha’… As they are tourists, to be strict but soft is good for the host; no rough language.”

Others were more critical of the way the man handled the situation. One user said, “You should have spoken politely. If someone doesn’t know something or breaks a rule, tell them nicely. Why are you making a video and making it public, just to get views & followers? The way you talk, if u would’ve met some mad guy, he would’ve smashed you.”

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Another added, “But honestly, how is he behaving? Ek baar bolo or phir bhi nhi sunte toh karo na complain. Sounds like uska ghar hai! Alag hi moral policing krni hai hai or karo pr tameez m toh raho.”

FAQs

What happened at Lohagad Fort?

A local man was filmed confronting a group of Delhi tourists for smoking inside the fort, which is a protected ASI heritage site where smoking and other intoxicants are banned.

What did the local man say to the tourists?

He asked, “Who told you to smoke here?” and told them, “You should have common sense. Would you smoke inside a temple? This fort is our temple.”