Lucknow: An awkward incident unfolded in Lucknow after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal, a memorial dedicated to former
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on Thursday. Several people were caught on camera stealing flower pots placed around the venue. Videos of the incident quickly going viral on social media.
The visuals show individuals lifting decorative flower pots arranged as part of the memorial’s beautification and loading them onto two-wheelers before leaving the premises shortly after the inauguration ceremony concluded. The act, captured by bystanders, has triggered online outrage, with many users calling the behaviour embarrassing and disrespectful.
Modi was in Lucknow for #AtalBihariVajpayee ‘s statue inauguration today
soon after he left, congress supporters started stealing flowerpots.
These chanchas can do anything to demean BJP ruled states.pic.twitter.com/P14BYYzQYY— Rahul (Proud Bhakt) (@rahulpassi) December 26, 2025
One of the viral videos, filmed from inside a moving car, shows the person recording the clip confronting those taking the pots. The videographer can be heard calling out the individuals and noting down the registration number of the scooter used to steal the plants, questioning their conduct in public view.
In UP’s Lucknow, people could be seen stealing flower pots kept on road after PM Modi’s event in the city where he inaugurated the “Rastra Prerna Sthal”.
People have lost all shame. pic.twitter.com/95XEMG5OC5
— VIZHPUNEET (@vizhpuneet) December 26, 2025
LDA contractor Nirbhay Pratap Singh said, “About 25,000 to 30,000 saplings were planted. Since yesterday, more than 10,000 of them have already been stolen. Even last evening, people were loading the plants into their vehicles and taking them away. The theft has continued since this morning as well. Now, these saplings are being removed and kept in LDA’s nursery. Guards were deployed, but people did not listen and kept taking the plants away.”
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal in Lucknow on the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Thursday. The event was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. As part of the preparations for the high-profile ceremony, thousands of flowers and ornamental pots were placed along approach roads and around the memorial complex.
However, soon after the programme ended, several of these flower pots were allegedly stolen by locals. Multiple videos and photographs capturing the act were shared across social media platforms, sparking a debate on civic responsibility and public behaviour at government events.
