A group of North Eastern reel creators filming without permission at Lodhi Garden, Delhi broke into an argument with the security guard after he questioned and stopped them from doing so. He restricted the group from widely using their phone camera and engaging in the shoot setup, which included a reflector, tripod and monopod.
Carrying out his duty, he informed the reel creators they were not allowed to record videos on the premises without valid permission. However, the youths didn't listen to him, instead, they broke into a verbal fight with the guard. One of the group members threatened him by saying they would break his finger off.
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Is this the way our people will be treated ? Will any one raise this issue - I am asking my sister to file an FIR against this individual for misbehaving with our people . If we stay quiet one day we will have to carry our passport to show them that we are also Indians . The time… pic.twitter.com/2tQoaKsHv6
— Pradyot_Tripura (@PradyotManikya) March 11, 2025
Youths break into argument with guard
"Kya karoge? Chup chaap chalaja. Ungli matt dikha. Todd dhunga (What will you do? Shut up and leave. Don't point finger, else I'll break it)", a youth said during a heated debate with the guard.
The ruckus took place when the uniformed security staffer asked them to shut their video setup, which they didn't have permission for. "Stand bandh karlo. Reflector, tripod, bata raha hu, bandh kar do. Iske liye permission hota hai yaar (Close the stand. I am telling you this requires permission)", the guard told them.
North Eastern youths pointed out they were filming using phone cameras and not a DSLR, suggesting it needed no prior approval. However, the guard alleged the usage of shooting equipment like tripod and others could be used on the premises only with valid permission.
An X user shared the video online alleging racism
I dont understand what “OUR PEOPLE” means. Please enlighten everyone.
— Rebelution (@madrebel17) March 11, 2025
'Pradyot Tripura' claimed they were targeted because of their North Eastern identity. "Is this the way our people will be treated?... If we stay quiet one day we will have to carry our passport to show them that we are also Indians", he posted on X.
Netizens say: "Playing victim for no reason"
This incident from Delhi sparked a wave of discussion online. Netizens asked Pradyot to not divert the matter by forcefully bringing in the racist angle, stating the security guard only did his duty by stopping them because the group didn't have permission to shoot inside the garden. They slammed the post for "Playing victim for absolutely no reason".
Can someone record any person’s activity without his permission? Is there something called Privacy ? If videography is not allowed in some public places then how can you shoot video of security.
— Seenu (@sdevareddy) March 12, 2025
Bhai this is not discrimination.., they already shows this kind of behaviour with anyone who is making reels they need to be punished but make it large by using the term discrimination
— Kobe (@fxdelhi) March 11, 2025
They dont restrict shooting, they try to earn from them.
— imagine a better world (@UrbanChe) March 12, 2025
But the rules are so archaic and not keeping up with new technology
The issue here is simple power play.
The guard believes he can be rude to the NE folks simply because he can
Why selectively targeting the NE students while the rest are freely making videos? Bothered to catch them first?
— a proud axomiya (@a_random_2020_) March 11, 2025
These people are causing no harm to the property, there are people who scribble Chunnu-Munnu on these historical sites, ever caught them? Stop this selective outrage
The bigotry and coercive mindset of "Mainland besanchaap" is what make people having unique culture and language and rituals to getter and siding into "our people". Leave it aside and promote little fraternity and inclusivity. pic.twitter.com/I4mOPDBbJB
— Baniya_হও।♂️ (@2021_nota) March 11, 2025
"The guard is doing his duty"
"Can someone record any person’s activity without his permission? Is there something called Privacy ? If videography is not allowed in some public places then how can you shoot video of security", one replied to the video.
"People like them just can come and divert the topic. They will not see the behaviour of the guard but more concerned about the word ‘our people’. The guard deserves the action to be taken on him. If he was correct why was he fearing things being recorded", another added.
"Parks, do restrict shooting , modelling etc. The guard is doing his duty , and must be respected", netizens noted as the video went viral.