No civic sense? Shocked foreigner catches Mumbai man dumping trash near Gateway of India

Mumbai's waterfront has a stunning view of the Gateway of India, it is one of the most iconic places in the country that draws millions of tourists every year, making it a symbol of the city's vibrant energy.


Yet sometimes, behind-the-scene experiences are those that one would least expect. Recently, an incident recorded by a foreigner went viral. It shows one careless act and it mirrors how small choices impact the hygiene of public places, and how aware we actually are!

What exactly happened?

A foreign vlogger was capturing the serene evening view from Mumbai's waterfront promenade, with the Gateway of India shining across the water. Suddenly, a local man pulled up, took out a packet of garbage, and casually tossed it into the Arabian Sea, all while his young daughter stood nearby. The vlogger confronted him, asking, "What is that?", but the man ignored the question, glanced back briefly, and walked away. The UK-based vlogger captioned the clip, "filmed at a waterfront promenade in Mumbai, India, with the iconic Gateway of India visible in the background across the water".



The video, shared widely on platforms like Instagram and X, quickly went viral. What baffled viewers most was the nonchalance, especially with a child watching, setting a poor example for the next generation.

Social media response

Social media reactions poured in, with people asking for a solution for such problems. One X user posted, “Appreciate you calling them out!” praising the vlogger's boldness. Another lamented, “Hard to defend my country and my countrymen,” reflecting national embarrassment. A commenter questioned, “Why would he do that? Why would anyone do that?” capturing widespread frustration.


Another user saying, "Find him and fine him heavily, not just a few hundred bugs. Fine him in multiple thousands". Another urged, "He has a daughter with him..That's what he is teaching her. @mybmc @MumbaiPolice must catch hold of him and teach him a lesson".

A third reflected deeply, "I'm 34 and was never taught not to litter - streets, parks, buses, trains. Same for my family. This is true for 100+ crore Indians. Civic sense won't magically appear. Not in 50 years - unless strict penalties are enforced".

Users tagged Mumbai Police and BMC, pushing for identification and punishment. The debate expanded to waste management flaws and the need for civic education.

This is not an isolated incident - littering at major tourist spots like the Gateway of India is becoming common, and it damages both Mumbai’s image and environment. Incidents like this clearly call for stricter fines, while school awareness programmes offer some hope for real change in the future.