Lucknow: A man delivering milk in Lucknow was arrested after CCTV footage showed him spitting into a milk container just before handing it over to a customer. The video, which quickly spread on social media, has triggered public outrage and led to calls for strict legal action.
The incident came to light when Luv Shukla, a resident of Gomti Nagar, reviewed his CCTV footage. To his shock, he saw the milkman, who had been delivering milk to his house regularly, spitting into the container moments before ringing the doorbell. Shukla, who said he uses the milk in religious rituals, expressed deep anguish. “I use this milk daily for offerings to Lord Shiva. My religious beliefs were defiled by this act,” Shukla stated, demanding severe punishment for the accused.
Footage shows the man, carrying a milk can, walking up the stairs to the house. After glancing around to ensure no one was watching, he appears to spit into the milk just before delivering it. Following the discovery, Shukla’s family filed a formal complaint at the Gomti Nagar police station. The accused, initially identified as “Pappu,” was soon revealed during the investigation to be Mohammad Sharif, who had allegedly been using the false name while delivering milk.
The case has since taken a communal turn, with members of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha gathering at the police station to protest. The group’s national spokesperson, Shishya Chaturvedi, alleged that the incident was part of a larger pattern he referred to as “spit jihad.”
“Spit jihad is spreading rampantly and must be addressed urgently. Individuals involved in such acts should be charged under the National Security Act,” Chaturvedi said. He also noted the incident’s timing, stating it was especially serious as it occurred during the Kanwar Yatra, when milk holds particular religious significance for Shiva devotees.
Gomti Nagar Station House Officer Brijesh Chandra Tiwari confirmed the arrest. “A case has been registered, and the accused has been taken into custody. Further investigation is underway,” he said. The incident has ignited sharp reactions both online and offline, as police continue their inquiry into the motive and circumstances behind the act.