Lohagad Fort Confrontation Over Tourist Smoking Sparks Online Debate

A video recorded at Maharashtra’s Lohagad Fort shows a local resident confronting a group of tourists from Delhi after spotting them smoking on the historic site. The fort, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, bans tobacco, alcohol and other intoxicants. The tourists claimed they were unaware of the rule and said no signage was present. The local demanded they stop, took their cigarette packet, and warned that he could lodge a police complaint if they smoked again.

The clip went viral on social media, prompting a split reaction. Many users praised the resident for defending the monument and urging respect for heritage sites, while others suggested the confrontation could have been handled more calmly. ASI regulations stipulate penalties for violations, emphasizing the need to treat such monuments with the same reverence as places of worship.