Pune: A video of a dramatic confrontation at the entrance of Malhargad Fort in Pune has gone viral, showing a citizen smashing a hookah in protest after spotting another man smoking it at the historic site. The incident has triggered widespread discussion on social media about appropriate behavior at heritage locations.
In the footage, the agitated citizen is seen confronting the smoker, forcefully seizing the hookah, and smashing it to the ground while reprimanding him for disrespecting a monument of cultural significance. The act drew a strong reaction online—while some applauded the man for defending the sanctity of the fort, others criticized the confrontational and aggressive approach.
Authorities have not issued an official statement yet, but the viral video has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of smoking bans at heritage and religious sites. The incident also echoes a recent controversy in Haridwar, where tourists were publicly confronted for smoking hookah at the revered Har Ki Pauri Ghat.
Local heritage advocates are now urging the government to ramp up public awareness and impose stricter penalties to prevent such behavior in the future. As the video continues to gain traction, it raises pressing questions about civic responsibility and the preservation of India’s historical treasures.
