SRINAGAR: A video showing a tourist driving a Toyota Fortuner through a stretch of the Jhelum River in Kashmir has gone viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism and raising concerns about public safety, environmental responsibility and tourist conduct in ecologically sensitive areas.
The video, widely shared on social media platform X, shows the sport utility vehicle (SUV) moving through the river while the driver appears to be recording the stunt from inside the vehicle. Several bystanders standing along the riverbank were also seen filming the incident.
Despite the flowing water and uneven riverbed, the vehicle successfully crossed the stretch and emerged without any apparent damage.
The incident, however, sparked a debate online, with many users questioning the rationale behind driving a vehicle into a river and calling for stricter enforcement of rules governing tourist activities in natural and environmentally sensitive locations.
“The real issue isn’t the vehicle, it’s the mindset. Driving a Fortuner into the Jhelum River for a few seconds of attention shows why civic sense is a bigger problem than infrastructure. We blame authorities for everything, but responsibility starts with individuals too,” read the caption accompanying one of the viral posts.
Several social media users demanded action against the driver, arguing that such stunts encourage reckless behaviour and could potentially put lives at risk.
“If exemplary punishment is meted out to such idiots, others won’t dare to follow suit. Why do the same Indians behave when overseas? The authorities there treat the culprit with an iron hand. It is about governance and enforcement of laws,” one user wrote.
Another user called for stringent penalties, including impounding the vehicle and imposing heavy fines, to deter similar incidents in the future.
Apart from safety concerns, many users highlighted the possible environmental implications of driving vehicles through natural water bodies.
Some commenters expressed concern over the potential pollution of the river and the disturbance such activities could cause to the fragile ecosystem of the Jhelum, one of Kashmir’s major waterways.
“Polluting the Jhelum River, known historically as the Vitasta, is unacceptable. Authorities should take appropriate action against such activities,” another social media user commented.
Others attributed such behaviour to advertisements showcasing the off-road and water-wading capabilities of SUVs.
“Television commercials often portray these vehicles driving effortlessly through water bodies. Many owners simply try to replicate what they see in advertisements,” a user remarked.
While no mishap was reported in the incident, the video has reignited discussions about responsible tourism and the need to protect natural landscapes from activities that could endanger public safety or harm the environment.
Authorities had not issued any official statement on the incident till the filing of this report.
