Uttar Pradesh: Food Blogger Arrested Over ‘Shiv Idol Reel’ Used in Non-Veg Eatery Promotion in Muzaffarnagar

A 25-year-old food blogger was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police on Saturday following complaints regarding a promotional social media video. The reel, which aimed to market a local non-vegetarian roadside eatery, allegedly featured visuals of a Hindu deity's idol, sparking objections from local groups. The accused, identified as Anas Ahmed, a resident of Laddawala, runs food vlogging channels across YouTube and other social media platforms. According to law enforcement officials, Ahmed was apprehended in Muzaffarnagar after members of right-wing groups lodged a formal complaint, claiming the video hurt religious sentiments. Boat Iftar Turns Controversial in Varanasi, 14 Arrested for Throwing Non-Veg Food Into Ganga (Watch Video).

Khalapar Station House Officer (SHO) Bablu Kumar stated that an First Information Report (FIR) was registered under Section 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). This legal provision empowers the police to make an arrest without a warrant to prevent the commission of a cognizable offense. ‘Throwing Non-Veg Food in Ganga Could Hurt Religious Sentiments’: Allahabad High Court Grants Bail to 8 Men in Varanasi Ganga Iftar Row.

The controversial promotional reel featured a youth filming food reviews at the city-based establishment. Alongside the food visuals, the clip incorporated footage of prominent local landmarks, including the city's well-known Shiv Chowk, which prominently features a Shiv idol. Following the public backlash and subsequent police inquiry by the Khalapar police, Ahmed uploaded two subsequent videos offering an apology to the residents of the city for the controversial footage. Police confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 24, 2026 09:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).