Pune: Outrage After Foreign Tourist Harassed with Abusive Marathi Phrases at Sinhagad Fort
Pune, 12th April 2025: A viral video from Pune’s iconic Sinhagad Fort has sparked a wave of anger and disappointment among citizens and history enthusiasts after it showed a group of local youths allegedly forcing a foreign tourist to repeat offensive Marathi slang.
The tourist, reportedly from New Zealand, had visited the historic hill fort to learn about the Maratha legacy and enjoy the scenic trek. However, what was expected to be a memorable experience took a troubling turn when a group of young men approached him and started teaching him vulgar Marathi phrases under the guise of friendly interaction.
In the now-viral clip, the tourist is seen smiling and repeating the words without understanding their meaning, while the group bursts into laughter. As the video progresses, the man’s expression changes, possibly realizing the tone and nature of the phrases being suggested to him.
Local citizens and cultural groups have condemned the incident, calling it a disgrace to Maharashtra’s tradition of respecting guests. “We feel ashamed that a visitor was mocked like this at a place associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s valor,” said Kiran Patil, a history teacher from Pune. “This is not what Maharashtra stands for. ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ is not just a slogan—it’s our ethos.”
The video was first shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by supporters of MP Omraje Nimbalkar, who demanded action against the individuals seen in the footage. “Such behavior tarnishes the image of our state and its historical sites. Strict action should be taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” said Nimbalkar’s media team in a statement.
According to unconfirmed sources, the tourist was deeply upset after learning the true meaning of the words and is believed to have expressed hesitation about returning to the site in the future.
The Pune Police and local administration have been urged to identify the individuals involved and take legal action. Heritage activists are also demanding more surveillance and awareness at historic locations to protect visitors from such incidents.
