KEYLONG/ UDAIPUR (Lahaul-Spiti):
At a time when silence should have spoken louder than words, the shutter clicks of smartphones drowned out mourning prayers.
Locals in the remote Lahaul-Spiti valley are outraged after a group of tourists brazenly clicked selfies and posed for photographs near the banks of the Chenab River — while a local family was performing the last rites of their loved one.
What should have been a solemn moment of farewell turned into a grotesque show of insensitivity.
The grieving family, already weighed down by sorrow, had to endure a barrage of onlookers treating their tragedy as a photo opportunity. Videos and pictures of the incident have now gone viral on social media, triggering widespread condemnation.
Suresh Vidyarthi, and educationist and respected community elder, didn’t mince his words.
“We are deeply disheartened by the presence of tourists and onlookers during what should have been a sacred and private farewell to a beloved.
Grief is not entertainment. The final goodbye to a loved one is a solemn passage, deserving of quiet, respect, and space,” he said. “Please, let grieving families mourn in peace.” referring to the cremation rites at the Sangam of the Chandra and Bhaga river near Tandi.
Locals say this isn’t an isolated incident. With the growing influx of tourists in the valley, sacred and culturally sensitive spots are increasingly being turned into Instagram backdrops.
The riverside — once a tranquil space for quiet rituals — is now teeming with selfie-seekers, loud chatter, and even construction proposals.
Ajey, a well-known poet from the valley, added his voice to the protest.
“We strongly condemn the idea of disturbing the chastity and solitude of this sacred place in the name of so-called ‘development’ and cemented ghats. Let this place be what it is — a space for spiritual peace, not tourist invasion.”
The residents are now demanding that the district administration step in to regulate and educate tourists, especially near sites of cultural and emotional significance.
“There needs to be a line between exploration and intrusion,” said another local.
As the mountain echo with both grief and protest, one thing is clear: Lahaul-Spiti isn’t asking for silence — it's demanding sensitivity.
#RespectRituals
#TourismWithDecency
#SacredNotSelfieSpot
#LahaulSpitiSpeaks
