Gwalior District Bans Public Reels and Photography at Historical Sites

The Gwalior district authorities have prohibited shooting of reels, photography, and videography at public places and historical structures. This decision follows the circulation of a viral video showing a woman dancing at the collectorate. Violators will face actions under BNSS and cyber laws. Permission is now required for such activities.

Authorities in Gwalior district on Saturday banned shooting of reels, photography, and videography at public places and structures of historical importance, following the circulation of a video featuring a woman dancing to a Hindi film song at the collectorate, on social media.

Those violating the prohibitory order, issued by Collector Ruchika Chouhan under section 163 of Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), will face legal action under Bharartiya Nyay Sanhita section 223 and other cyber law provisions, an official stated.

Chouhan's order highlighted that numerous individuals and organizations have been filming and photographing at historical buildings, railway stations, bus stands, government offices, and other public places in the district without prior information and permission. Such activities, according to the order, do not contribute to the beautification or historical value of these sites, but are aimed at gaining quick and cheap popularity through the dissemination of indecent material on electronic and social media. A recent example involved a reel filmed on the stairs of the Collector's Office, prompting discontent among residents and organizations.

The district has responded by requiring anyone wishing to shoot at public places to obtain written permission from the relevant department or authority, to be presented to the superintendent of police (SP) and the area's sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) at least three days before the shoot.