Kanpur Shame: Viral Gutka-Stained Dustbin Sparks Outrage

New Delhi, December 29, 2025: In an incident that has once again put the spotlight on the lack of civic sense in urban India, a video of a shopper discovering fresh gutka stains inside a brand-new dustbin kept for sale has gone viral. The incident, which took place at a popular retail outlet in Kanpur, has triggered a wave of “second-hand embarrassment” and anger across social media platforms.

The viral clip, originally shared by Instagram user @devotedindian, captures a man browsing the aisles of a Mr DIY store. As he lifts the lid of a pristine-looking plastic dustbin meant for display, he is met with a disgusting sight: the interior is splattered with the bright red residue of chewed tobacco (gutka).

“What Will Happen to Kanpur?”

The shopper, clearly dismayed by the sight, is heard in the video saying, “Ab batao kya hoga Kanpur ka bhai” (Now tell me, what will happen to Kanpur?). The caption of the post, “Bolo juban kesri. Kanpur will never change,” sarcastically references a popular tobacco brand’s tagline, highlighting the city’s long-standing and unfortunate association with public spitting.

While Kanpur has often been the subject of internet memes regarding “red-stained walls,” this particular incident struck a chord because it occurred inside a private, air-conditioned retail space on a product meant for purchase.

Social Media Erupts in Anger

The video has amassed thousands of views and hundreds of comments, with netizens calling for stricter accountability. The reactions range from frustration to calls for legal action:

• Shame and Disappointment: One user commented, “As a Kanpuriya, we should be ashamed. There is nothing funny about this; it just shows the rest of the country how uncivilized some can be.”
• Lack of Civic Sense: Another wrote, “Civic sense is non-existent. We want world-class infrastructure but cannot even maintain basic decency in a store.”
• CCTV Accountability: Many users urged the store management to scan CCTV footage, identify the culprit, and ban them from the premises.

The Persistence of a “Banned” Habit

This incident highlights a deeper issue regarding the enforcement of public health laws. Gutka and smokeless tobacco products have been banned in Uttar Pradesh since 2012–13. Despite the legal ban and repeated public awareness campaigns, the habit of public spitting remains a significant challenge for urban cleanliness.

Retailers like Mr DIY, which operate on a “self-service” model where customers can touch and feel products, are particularly vulnerable to such misuse. While the store has not yet issued a formal corporate statement, the public outcry has placed immense pressure on retail chains to increase surveillance and security even in the “home decor” sections.

The Path Forward

For many, the video is a wake-up call that infrastructure and cleanliness cannot be achieved by the government alone; they require a fundamental shift in public behavior. As one viral comment summarized: “The country doesn’t just need better stores; it needs better education on how to live in a society.”