A disturbing video from Amritsar has once again raised concerns about the hygiene standards of India’s street-food scene after a live rat was filmed in a container of panipuri mixture.
The footage was originally shared on Instagram by a content creator who captured the moment he and a friend noticed movement in a large bowl of spiced water and masala at a roadside stall. The clip shows a rat, coated in the mixture, scrambling inside the container as the vendor tries to remove it. Seconds later, the rodent frees itself from the bowl and scurries into a nearby drain.
Rat found in golgappa pot at Amritsar street stall
The vlogger, who posted the video with the caption “Rat in PaniPuri,” said that he immediately told the vendor to throw away the contaminated contents, and the vendor complied right away.
Since it was uploaded, the video has drawn lakhs of views and sparked a heated debate online. Many users expressed disgust, citing the footage as proof of ongoing hygiene problems. Others questioned the circumstances of the incident.
Users point out at the cleanliness
The discussion quickly turned to speculation. One user pointed out the apparent cleanliness of the stall’s surroundings, asking, “The rest of the setup looked really clean. So what happened there? Did it enter after the cart was already in place, or was it from long before?”
Another user offered a possible defense, suggesting the rat might have entered just moments before, noting, “How was it even alive for that long? Anyway, it’s good that you asked the vendor to throw the water away.”
Read also: Galgotias University Removes Stall After Showcasing Chinese Robot Dog as Indian Innovation