A spate of scary videos on social media has caused panic in Karnataka’s capital and left the nation in a state of "tragedy," as people are shown being frozen or swaying in public on the streets of the city.
These unsettling visuals, frequently likened to the actions of “zombies” in horror movies, have sparked speculation that the fatal “Zombie Drug” (scientifically known as Xylazine) may have arrived in Bengaluru. The popular Sandalwood actor and director Duniya Vijay, in response, has made a plea to the nation to take action and call the Police to action in response to the viral accounts.
The Viral "Zombie" Behavior
In recent days, numerous clips, said to have originated in places like Bagalur and near Nitte College, displayed men standing totally immobile for several minutes, seeming as if they no longer respond to their environment.
The Root Cause: Although not officially confirmed by local narcotics bureaus, social media patrons have linked the incidents to Xylazine, a powerful veterinary sedative frequently used with more than one drug.
The Effect: That is to say, this drug is infamous for dragging users into a lethargic, statue-like state for very long periods of time, even giving it the “zombie” nickname.
Duniya Vijay’s Appeal to Karnataka Police
An outspoken opponent of all substance abuse, Duniya Vijay has just issued a video on the crisis. The actor, who previously painted a dark background of the city’s narcotics industry in his directorial hit Bhima, was deeply concerned about this new threat.
In my movie Bhima, we discussed the dangers of ganja and other synthetic drugs to raise awareness. Now a 'Zombie Drug' is being reported. I implore the Karnataka Police to look into whether these claims are true or false. They have already done a fantastic job in containing the drug mafia and I want them to investigate this new threat for the safety of our youth, Vijay said.
A Reminder to the Parents and Youth
The actor didn’t stop at calling authorities; he reminded the public to be on their toes. He told parents to keep a close watch on their child's behavior and urged young people to be the “eyes and ears” of the city.
- Proactive Prompting: Vijay sought to have anybody who sees someone exhibiting signs of a "zombie" and those who suspect drug dealing within their neighbourhood to notify the immediate police station.
- Community Vigilance: “Parents and youth need to keep their eyes peeled. If this drug is truly entering our streets, we need to come together to prevent it before it destroys lives,” he said.
Background: From Reel to Real
Duniya Vijay’s involvement carries considerable weight because of his existing ground-level work. Prior to launching Bhima, he proved that a range of addictive drugs were being marketed illegally in public medical stores. In one similar case to the film’s plot, an actual arrest, during which a foreign national who had worked as a peddler in Bhima was apprehended by police in Bengaluru with a huge stash of MDMA, occurred.
Though Yelahanka Police and other local stations have begun investigating the viral clip to verify its authenticity as a "zombie drug", the actor's warning was a wake-up call that was needed for the city.
