Japanese Tourists Harassed and Forced to Apologise in Varanasi Over Swimsuit and Santa Hat: Fresh Blow to India's

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – In yet another incident raising serious concerns about tourist safety and cultural intolerance in India, two Japanese women tourists were mobbed, verbally abused, and publicly humiliated in Varanasi on Christmas Day for wearing a swimsuit and a Santa Claus hat while posing for photographs near a ghat.

Video footage that went viral on social media shows a large crowd of local men surrounding the tourists, shouting at them, accusing them of disrespecting the "sanctity" of the holy city, and demanding they apologise. One of the women, visibly distressed, was forced to fold her hands and say "sorry" repeatedly before the mob allowed them to leave. The tourists were reportedly on a guided boat ride along the Ganges when they briefly stepped onto the riverbank for pictures.

Police later intervened and escorted the women to safety, but no FIR has been registered so far, with authorities describing it as a "minor misunderstanding." Local tour guides and eyewitnesses, however, claim the incident lasted nearly 20 minutes and involved aggressive intimidation.

Japanese tourists were mobbed, harassed, and verbally abused in Varanasi — then forced to apologise for wearing a swimsuit and a Santa Claus hat.
Let that sink in.

A country that claims “Atithi Devo Bhava”⁰A city that calls itself spiritual⁰Yet guests are publicly humiliated… pic.twitter.com/fDhg5lJXWe

— Believer (@PredatorVolk) December 28, 2025

The episode has triggered widespread outrage online, with many questioning India's long-cherished principle of "Atithi Devo Bhava" ("The guest is equivalent to God"), a slogan heavily promoted by the Ministry of Tourism. Critics point out the irony: Varanasi, one of the world's oldest living cities and a global spiritual destination, witnessed foreign guests being publicly shamed instead of welcomed.

"This is not just about clothing. It's about entitlement and mob mentality. Foreigners are increasingly seen as easy targets," wrote one social media user, while others compared it to past incidents of harassment against tourists in Rajasthan, Goa, and Northeast India.

Meanwhile, the timing of the incident has drawn sharp international attention amid growing debate in Japan over a proposed plan to accept up to 10,000 skilled Indian workers under a new migration scheme. Japanese online forums and conservative media outlets have highlighted the Varanasi episode, with some users expressing alarm over "cultural differences" and questioning whether Indian migrants would respect local norms in Japan.

Posts on Japanese platforms like 5ch and X have circulated the viral video, with comments ranging from concern about public safety to calls for stricter screening of foreign workers. Right-wing commentators have used the incident to argue against expanding immigration quotas, claiming it reflects deeper issues of "civility and mutual respect."

While India remains one of the world's top tourist destinations, attracting over 10 million foreign visitors annually, repeated incidents of harassment – from racial attacks on Northeast Indians and African students to moral policing of foreign tourists – continue to damage its global image.

Tourism industry leaders have urged immediate action, including sensitivity training for locals in heritage sites and stronger enforcement against mob harassment. As one Varanasi-based tour operator told media, "We invite the world to our sacred cities, but if we cannot protect our guests from humiliation, how can we expect them to return – or recommend India to others?"

As 2025 draws to a close, these back-to-back incidents – from the tragic death of Anjel Chakma in Dehradun to the public shaming of Japanese tourists in Varanasi – have reignited urgent conversations about safety, tolerance, and whether India's hospitality extends equally to all, both within its borders and beyond.