The video of an old man casually throwing banana peels onto railway tracks has gone viral on social media, and users took it as a sign of the lack of civic duty in public spaces.
The 42-second clip, posted by influencer Amit Kumar Sindhi on July 15, shows the man eating bananas at a railway platform and throwing the peels onto the tracks. When confronted by the person filming the video, he was unfazed and even ate another banana.
I’m from abroad, the remark goes viral
When asked about littering, the elderly man sarcastically replied, “Bahar ka hun” (I'm from abroad), which quickly turned out to be the talking point of the viral clip.
As for the man not showing any remorse, he continued eating and shrugged off the criticism with a smile, while everyone was shocked.
The video spread quickly through various social media platforms and also attracted thousands of reactions and comments.
Social Media Reacts Strongly
Many on the internet were against it and argued that cleanliness is a universal issue and that cleanliness is a collective responsibility regardless of age.
Some people expressed a bit disappointed that someone from an older generation would openly ignore public hygiene, whereas others suggested that civic discipline can’t be enforced only through government campaigns.
Some users commented that it is an example of bad behaviour that is a hindrance to nationwide cleanliness efforts and sets a bad example for future generations.
Concerns Over Public Property
The incident has also reignited discussions about the misuse of public infrastructure.
Recent reports have shown that Indian Railways suffered huge losses due to theft and damage of railway property. Between January 2022 and May 2026, more than 1.27 crore bedsheets, towels, pillow covers, blankets, and other linen items were stolen from trains, resulting in losses estimated at ₹104.51 crore.
Hence, officials have appealed to passengers in the past to be responsible in handling railway property, because such losses, they say, will ultimately affect public resources.
जब चाचा ख़ुद ही कह रहे हैं कि मैं भारत का नहीं बाहर का हूँ
— खुरपेंच (@khurpenchh) July 16, 2026
तो उनको ज़बरदस्ती कचरे के डब्बे में छिलका डालने के लिए क्यों फोर्स किया जा रहा है??
ज़्यादा सिविक सेंस की अम्मा मत बनो वरना चाचा गरिया भी देंगे🤡 pic.twitter.com/RreyXCixFB
Indian Railways continues Cleanliness Drive
Indian Railways has introduced several measures to improve sanitation and passenger awareness over the years.
These initiatives include:
- Swachh Bharat cleanliness campaigns.
- Bio-toilets installed in coaches.
- CCTV monitors at stations.
- Penalties for littering and violation of cleanliness norms.
Public education to encourage passengers to keep the railway premises clean.
In addition to that, authorities have also handed out more than 31,500 fines to passengers for littering and other littering-related activities in recent years to keep train stations and trains clean.
A reminder about civic responsibility
While the infrastructure and stricter enforcement remain important, many people believe that lasting change is personal in nature.
The viral video serves as a reminder that public spaces require cooperation from every citizen. Simple actions like using dustbins, avoiding littering, and respecting shared infrastructure contribute significantly to cleaner and safer public environments.
As the clip is spreading online, it has created a wider conversation about civic sense, personal accountability, and the role each individual plays in keeping public spaces clean.
