Bengaluru: Dutch vlogger Pedro Mota found himself at the centre of a physical assault while documenting his visit to Bengaluru’s bustling Chickpet Market. The altercation, which quickly gained viral attention on social media platforms, has raised questions about safety and security for foreign visitors in popular areas.
Mota, known for his YouTube channel ‘Madly Rover’ with over 33,000 subscribers, was immersed in his vlogging experience when he encountered an individual presumed to be a trader. The situation rapidly escalated as the trader forcefully grabbed Mota’s hand and questioned his motives for recording the video. Despite Mota’s request to let go of his hand, the aggression persisted, resulting in a forceful push that prompted him to make a swift escape from the scene.
Recalling the incident, Mota later shared on the video, “I had to get out of there. A big dude holding on to my hand, surrounded by at least one or two buddies. That’s never a good situation — outnumbered in a crowded area.”
Mota uploaded the video titled ‘Attacked At The Thieves Market In India’ to his YouTube channel, leading to a surge in viewership, with over 160,000 views thus far. The video triggered an online outcry, sparking conversations about the safety of travelers and the necessity for heightened security measures.
Despite the unfortunate incident, Mota did find solace in the friendly demeanour of many Bengaluru locals. During the video, he struck up a conversation with a motorist stuck in traffic, who offered him a banana. After this gesture from the motorist, Mota said, “This is India, bro. Not the bulls**t that happened earlier. He was so kind.”
Local authorities responded to the incident by apprehending an individual named Navab Hayath Sharif under the Karnataka Police Act 92. Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda said on Twitter that appropriate measures have been taken and also said that the video was an old one.
However, conflicting information regarding the timing of the incident has sparked an online debate. Mota’s video was uploaded to Youtube on June 11, 2023, leading to questions about the police claim that it’s an old video. Mota also stated that he filmed the footage on a Sunday morning, which added to the confusion surrounding the incident’s timeline.
Further investigation by concerned netizens revealed that another vlogger, Chidu24, featured in Mota’s video. It came to light that Chidu24 had uploaded a video on March 27, 2023, featuring Mota. Additionally, Mota clarified in the video’s description that the original footage was shot in March.
The incident has not only shed light on the specific assault but has also ignited broader discussions about the need for improved safety measures and awareness in popular areas. Three other instances were witnessed in India in recent times. Two Korean and one Japanese vloggers, all three women, had faced sexual harassment in Jodhpur, Mumbai and Delhi in separate incidents.
The viral outcry serves as a stark reminder that ensuring the safety and well-being of visitors, both domestic and international, is of paramount importance. Unruly behaviour against foreign nationals in India however, has not gone unpunished in all these cases.