VARANASI, March 19 -- Following the alleged dumping of chicken biryani leftovers in the Ganga, boatmen in Varanasi are now cautioning passengers not to throw waste into the river.

The incident came to light after a video surfaced on social media showing a group of youths eating chicken biryani during an Iftar party on a boat in the river and allegedly discarding leftovers into the water. The controversy triggered mass arrests, with 14 people taken into custody on charges of defiling a place of worship and hurting religious feelings.

Boatman Rahul Nishad, who operates from Assi Ghat, said, "As soon as passengers board the boat, I request them not to throw plastic, flowers or any other waste in the Ganga. We request them and keep a vigil....