Indians Chant Gayatri Mantra Inside Azerbaijan’s Museum, Internet Says: ‘We Wonder Why Visa Rules Are Getting Stricter’

After incidents from Vietnam, Thailand and Japan, a new video of a group of Indian tourists in Azerbaijan has once again sparked the familiar debate on public conduct in foreign countries. In a clip shared on Instagram, another Indian tourist recorded the group, who were seen loudly praying inside a state-protected museum in Baku.

“Do not be this type of Indian tourist abroad,” read the text on the clip, which showed a group of Indians chanting Gayatri Mantra inside the Ateshgah of Baku, where speaking loudly is allegedly prohibited by law. “This group of Indian tourist with Zero Civic Sense started shouting religious verses inside this protected State Museum of Baku.”

“We Failed As Indians”

The individual recording the incident alleged that the things got so “embarassing”

that their tour guide decided to leave that area and move on to the next location to step away from the “chaos”. In the background, those Indian tourists were still heard chanting the mantras, with someone saying, “Once more,” after which they sang the verses again. Some foreigners were seen standing and watching them sing.

The person further shared that the most awkward moment came when their tour guide, laughed at the group and turned towards them to ask, “Aren’t they your people?” The remarked prompted the individual to say, “In that exact moment, standing there in total silence, you realise this is where we failed as Indians.”

They added, “A total lack of civic sense by a few can cause an innocent traveler to be unfairly profiled, without ever being involved.”

“Wonder Why Visa Rules Are Getting Stricter”

The clip has since gone viral, once again sparking debate on civic sense, responsibility of Indians travelling abroad, cultural sensitivity and the importance of respecting local customs and rules.

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A user wrote, “And we wonder why visa rules are getting stricter for Indians!”

“It’s not only civic sense. It’s bloody common sense,” said a person.

“Why do these people just start some random shît like some chanting or dancing out of nowhere.”

“It’s okay to chant personally but doing it out loud in foreign soil is quite embarrassing especially when there are people from other religions too. It isn’t our dharma to make others feel uncomfortable which clearly these group of people did. Idk what is even going on,” someone else remarked.

Another individual shared, “We just visited Ateshgah, and it was one of the most peaceful and serene places we experienced. Seeing behaviour like this is deeply disappointing. Unfortunately, it is precisely this kind of conduct that contributes to the growing perception of Indian tourists and makes them less welcome in many destinations today.”

Meanwhile, a section also defended the group chanting mantras, sying, “It’s Baku hindu temple and please don’t propagate western stereotypes.”