A family in Rajasthan drew widespread criticism online after turning a newly inaugurated expressway into an unusual picnic venue.
A video posted by Instagram user Shiv Maheshwari showed the family sitting in the middle of the road and having a meal, with relatives serving food to those seated.
The family had placed newspapers and tarpaulins on the road before sitting down to eat. Several members could be seen distributing food as the group enjoyed a meal directly on the expressway.
Watch the video here:
The footage later surfaced on X, where users criticised the family for treating public infrastructure as though it were a private picnic area. One user described the incident as an example of people taking pride in conduct that displays a complete lack of civic responsibility and respect for public property.
The backlash also extended beyond the decision to occupy the expressway. Some users highlighted concerns about littering and the broader attitude towards keeping public spaces clean.
One X user pointed to the common belief that cleaning public areas is somebody else’s responsibility simply because sanitation workers are employed to do the job. According to the user, this mindset encourages people to litter without concern, assuming that workers will eventually clean up the mess.
Although the gathering appeared to be an attempt to celebrate family togetherness, the choice of location quickly became the central issue. A road intended for vehicular movement was transformed into a makeshift dining space, with people seated on the carriageway while food was being served.
Family gatherings and community meals are common across India, but the viral incident has once again sparked discussion over the boundary between personal celebrations and civic responsibility.
The response online was overwhelmingly critical, with many users questioning why public infrastructure is sometimes treated as an extension of private space.
