What is going on with visitors in India in terms of safety? A foreign tourist posted a video that described how two men followed her and insisted on selfies over and over, even after she refused many times. The video went viral almost without warning and ignited public outrage that prompted calls for harsh police action.
The tourist was walking near the Mahalaxmi area when she was approached by two men. They demanded she take selfies with them, even though she refused clearly. Her account says the harassment lasted almost 20–25 minutes. She explained she had to push one of them away and even threatened to call the police before they eventually backed off. This was not just idle pestering. The men ignored her repeated “no,” they were persistent and turned it into harassment. The tourist then shared the video online to show the men following her and attempting to force interaction.
Shocking: A foreign tourist was harassed by two men in Mumbai who repeatedly demanded a selfie, despite her saying no multiple times. Do you think she’ll ever want to return to India after this? Disgusting! @MumbaiPolice, please find these clowns and make sure their “selfie… pic.twitter.com/FuyqAZdO15
— Meru (@MeruOnX) February 26, 2026
The video spread quickly on social media outlets. Users reacted with shock and anger, tagging @MumbaiPolice and calling into action. People called the men “clowns” and said their “selfie moment” must occur behind bars. There was outrage, but outrage was about more than just this thing, the fact that it is a very big problem of not respecting personal boundaries. Tourists and particularly women tourists often experience unwanted attention and this case showed how unsafe such behavior can at times feel.
Mumbai Police did acknowledge the incident once it became a viral online sensation. They said they were investigating the incident and attempting to locate the men in question. Citizens were also reminded by the police that harassment, whether physical or otherwise, is unacceptable and punishable by law. The video continues to circulate on the internet and the video’s virality has already pressured police to act, experts said. The case is being taken seriously because of the damage it can do to Mumbai’s reputation as a friendly tourist city.
India has been striving for some time now to promote itself as a safe haven for international tourists. And incidents like this undercut those efforts and question whether tourists feel safe. Respect for consent and personal space is a fundamental principle, and it tarnishes the country’s reputation abroad. But this isn’t the case for the sake of a single tourist alone; rather, this is a case for more vigilance, tighter enforcement of laws and a larger societal shift toward respecting the boundaries of tourists.
The harassment of the tourists in Mumbai reminds us that safety and respect are musts, and should-haves, and non-negotiable. While there will be consequences for police, society should also weigh how such behaviors will affect India’s brand. Tourists should feel welcome, not threatened, and every citizen has a part in making sure that.
