On the evening of December 25, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, a surprising scene unfolded on the city's newly decorated roads. Several residents were caught on camera openly stealing marigold-filled flower pots that had been placed to beautify the city for a high-profile inauguration.
The Viral Incident and Its Aftermath
The incident, captured in a video that quickly spread across social media platforms, shows individuals loading the decorative pots onto scooters and making off with them. The event was the inauguration of the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal, a memorial complex built to honour former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 101st birth anniversary. Notably, the individuals involved did not appear to be from impoverished backgrounds but seemed to be from stable economic families, using their personal vehicles for the act.
This phenomenon is not isolated to Lucknow. Municipal authorities in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai have frequently reported similar post-event thefts, with losses often running into thousands of rupees per incident. To mitigate these losses, civic bodies have adopted the practice of swiftly removing decorations once an event concludes.
Social Media Erupts with Mixed Reactions
The viral clip triggered a fierce online debate about civic responsibility and public property in India. Many social media users expressed disappointment and shame, targeting the "economically stable" individuals involved.
One user sarcastically commented, "Nothing new, we have seen this before also. Proud to be in India?" Another pointed out a pattern of behaviour, stating, "Economically stable individuals often exhibit surprising greed for free items... This can be seen in their tendency to throw garbage on the roadside, steal flower pots, park in no-parking zones."
Some users defended the actions with a pragmatic or cynical view. A few called it a "tax-payers' right," arguing that since public funds were used for the decorations, citizens had a claim to them. Others tried to find a silver lining, suggesting that at least the plants would be cared for in private homes rather than being discarded by the municipality.
There was also criticism of the practice of temporary beautification itself. One netizen remarked, "I do not support any arrangements made by civic bodies before visits from politicians. Adorning the streets with temporary setups is simply a waste of money."
About the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal
The event that prompted the city's decoration was the inauguration of a significant new memorial. The Rashtriya Prerna Sthal complex is spread over 65 acres on Hardoi Road on the outskirts of Lucknow. The centrepiece of the complex features 65-feet-high bronze statues of three BJP icons: Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Each massive statue weighs 42 tonnes and is installed on a platform surrounded by a water body. The construction of the complex reportedly cost approximately ₹230 crore. Prime Minister Modi's visit on Christmas Day marked its official opening to the public.
The incident of the stolen flower pots, while seemingly minor, has opened a larger conversation about civic ethics, the use of public funds for transient displays, and the social contract between citizens and the state in urban India.
