A Muslim street vendor faced alleged harassment from a group of YouTubers at the ongoing Medaram Jatara, a prominent tribal festival held in the Mulugu district of Telangana. The vendor, identified as Shaik Shaiksha Vali from Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, was selling khova buns, a locally favored sweet snack, when the incident occurred. Members of a group claiming affiliation with a Telugu YouTube channel approached his stall while recording their interactions with him.

In a video that circulated on social media, one group member is seen questioning Vali about his name and place of origin. The vendor replied, stating his name and that he hails from Kurnool, adding that two people were managing the stall. The questioning intensified as the group expressed doubt regarding the quality of the buns and asked Vali to show the expiry date of his product. In response, the vendor explained that he sources the buns and is responsible for their sale. One group member then made a controversial statement suggesting that authorities should be called, questioning the vendor’s intentions and implying wrongdoing.

YouTubers Allegedly Force Vendor to Show ID

Amidst the tense atmosphere, the group reportedly demanded that Vali present his Aadhaar card as proof of identity and insisted that he eat a bun on camera to demonstrate its safety. Under pressure from the group, the vendor complied with their demands. When asked about the ingredients used in the buns, Vali stated that they consisted of milk, sugar, and Bombay rava.

This incident has raised significant concern on various social media platforms regarding issues related to communal profiling and vigilantism, particularly at prominent public events where large crowds gather. As of now, no official commentary has emerged from local authorities about whether a formal complaint has been filed concerning the incident.

Understanding Medaram Jatara

Medaram Jatara, also referred to as Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, is a significant tribal festival celebrated biennially in Telangana’s Mulugu district. The festival honors the tribal deities Sammakka and Saralamma and attracts millions of devotees from across India. It is recognized as one of the largest religious gatherings in the country, highlighting its cultural and social importance within the region.