Vegetable vendor caught washing okra in dirty water on street in northern India
by Aditi VermaA viral video showing a street vendor in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh washing vegetables with dirty roadside water has sparked widespread anger.
The incident took place in Kanpur and the video went viral on September 14.
Visuals showed a vegetable vendor in Kanpur washing okra (bhindi) in contaminated water collected on the roadside.
The vendor, identified as Naushad, is seen defending his actions when confronted by passersby, claiming the water is clean. Despite warnings from onlookers who point out that the area is frequently used for urination, the vendor continues washing the vegetables in the same spot. Bystanders even advised him to use a bucket or nearby water taps, which are easily accessible.
In this case, the Police Commissionerate of Kanpur Nagar said “It is to be informed regarding the case that vegetable vendor Naushad, son of Sattar, aged about 38 years, a resident of Rahmat Nagar, Chaubepur, Kanpur Nagar, who is related to the aforementioned case, has been brought to the local police station by the local police. Upon investigation, local residents informed that Naushad’s cart had overturned, causing the okra placed on it to spill onto the ground, and he was merely picking them up and placing them back on the cart. During this time, someone clicked a photo of Naushad. No previous complaints have been made against the vegetable vendor by any residents. To this, Naushad was brought to the police station, and necessary action has been taken.”
The incident has raised concerns about the quality and hygiene of street-sold vegetables, pushing users to question food safety regulations in local markets.