Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 14: A shocking act of littering at one of Mumbai’s most iconic landmarks has reignited debate over civic sense after a foreign tourist captured the incident on camera and shared it online.

The now-viral video shows a man allegedly dumping a bag of waste into the Arabian Sea near the Gateway of India, a location frequented by thousands of locals and tourists every day. The clip was recorded by a foreign traveller and content creator, known on Instagram as @TheMancAbroad, while he was filming a vlog along the waterfront.

In the footage, the man is seen arriving in a vehicle, walking up to the edge of the promenade and casually throwing a bag of rubbish directly into the sea. Disturbingly, he is accompanied by his young daughter during the act. The tourist filming the incident can be heard questioning the man in disbelief, but receives no response. As the man walks away without hesitation, the vlogger remarks, “That’s not good,” expressing visible disappointment.

The incident has once again drawn attention to persistent concerns over civic responsibility and waste management in India’s financial capital. Netizens pointed out that such behaviour undermines sustained campaigns promoting cleanliness and environmental awareness. Many also highlighted the irony of the act taking place at the Gateway of India, a symbol of Mumbai’s identity, and in the presence of an international visitor.

Several social media users questioned the effectiveness of enforcement against littering and illegal dumping, while others voiced concern over the example being set for younger generations. The presence of the man’s child in the video particularly disturbed viewers, who felt it reflected poorly on the civic values being passed on.

Since being posted, the video has garnered over a million views and continues to attract widespread condemnation, with many users expressing shame and anger over the blatant pollution of the sea at a site of national and cultural significance.