Viral Video: Lucknow city has recently been in the news worldwide for reasons that are far from its conventional, great culture and courtesy. Known as the city of refinement, the reputation of Lucknow is being threatened by a spate of viral videos capturing unnerving scenes. One such video, which went viral on social media within no time, shows some girls beating a boy ruthlessly at night.
Incident Captured at 1090 Junction
The video, which was shared on an account named TRUE STORY, shows the violent altercation at Lucknow’s 1090 intersection. The description accompanying the video stated, “Location: Lucknow’s 1090 intersection | Girls beating a young man at the square. The reason must have been something special due to which the girls got so aggressive.” This ambiguous note leaves viewers guessing as to what exactly might be the cause of their aggression.
The Violent Confrontation
The video displays two girls beating up a boy, as a third girl is also present, seemingly equally enraged. The assault is initiated when one of the girls hits the boy, and shortly afterwards the second girl joins in. At one point, one of the girls is heard mentioning bringing a stick, which is an action indicating escalation of violence in this case. The video also captures the boy raising his hand in defense against one of the girls.
Public Reaction and Social Media Buzz
An eyewitness’s video, forwarded on social media on July 21, garnered views of more than 9,000. There were netizens reacting en masse to the incident. Some users came gunning for the girls and began making baseless accusations, putting all the blame on the girls’ side. One even commented, “Need to have a men’s commission,” reflecting the polarized views and intense emotions this video has elicited.
A Call for Reflection
The above incident and some others bring forth very serious concerns regarding the changing dynamics of Lucknow and the behavior of Lucknow’s youth. A city famed for its genteel culture, such violent episodes surely unnerve people, both locals and admirers alike, who hold this heritage of Lucknow in great esteem. The virality of the video is also symbolic of the power of social media to bring such issues into the limelight and get them debated in the public discourse.
Although one can never clearly see what exactly the roots of the fight are in this video, it does remind us all to address the issue—that kind of incident—calling for more balance and thought in public response, stopping reflexive judgments that would rather lead to a respectful and more understanding society.