Educated Lost Citizens: Growing Concern Over "Reels Culture" Turning Public Spaces into Stages for Viral Stunts in India

Bengaluru, July 23, 2025 - A growing trend of individuals performing unconventional acts in public spaces for social media "reels" is sparking debate and drawing mixed reactions across India. Recent incidents involving a young girl dancing on a busy road and a boy performing pull-ups inside a metro train have brought the issue of civic sense and public disruption to the forefront, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of existing regulations. The phenomenon, fueled by the desire for viral fame and online engagement, often sees young people pushing boundaries in crowded areas, leading to inconvenience, safety concerns, and questions about acceptable public behavior. Roadside Rhythms and Public Annoyance: In a recent incident that went viral, a young girl was seen dancing exuberantly on a busy Indian road, seemingly oblivious to the passing traffic and visibly disturbed pedestrians. While some online comments praised her confidence and spirit, a significant portion of netizens expressed frustration, highlighting the disruption caused to daily commuters and the potential safety risks involved. This mirrors recent incidents, such as an "Indian man creating a dance reel on a busy street abroad," which drew strong condemnation from Indian netizens themselves, calling for "cancel his visa" and lamenting a perceived lack of "civic responsibility." Another viral video from Uttar Pradesh showed a woman flaunting a gun while dancing on a highway for an Instagram reel, leading to police action and public outrage. These incidents underscore a broader concern about public spaces being treated as personal sets for social media content, often at the expense of public order and safety. Metro Mayhem: Gymming on the Go: Similarly, a video circulating online depicted a young boy performing pull-ups using the handrails inside a crowded Indian metro train, while his friend recorded the stunt for social media. While the act showcased physical prowess, it raised immediate concerns about passenger safety and the misuse of public transport infrastructure. Although specific metro rules against pull-ups are not explicitly detailed in publicly available FAQs, metro authorities generally prohibit activities that can cause nuisance or endanger passengers. Instances of individuals engaging in "dangerous stunts on railway tracks" have also drawn swift action and awareness campaigns from railway authorities, emphasizing the severe risks involved. Legal and Social Implications: Legal experts point to existing provisions in Indian law that could apply to such disruptive public acts. Section 268 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines "public nuisance" as an act or omission that causes any common injury, danger, or annoyance to the public or to people in general who dwell or occupy property in the vicinity, or which must necessarily cause injury, obstruction, danger, or annoyance to persons who may have occasion to use any public right. Furthermore, shooting reels that obstruct public places like metro stations, roads, or markets can be punishable as a public nuisance. In 2023, the Delhi Metro itself issued warnings and took action against individuals shooting risky or disruptive reels in metro coaches. The public reaction to these viral stunts is largely polarized. While some commend the creativity and confidence, a significant majority express embarrassment and concern over the disregard for civic norms and public safety. Calls for greater awareness regarding responsible social media behavior and stricter enforcement by authorities are becoming increasingly common as the "reels culture" continues to redefine the boundaries of public conduct.