A video featuring American singer and actress Selena Gomez being asked by an Indian man to chant “Jai Shree Ram” has gone viral online, sparking a flurry of reactions across social media. The Hindu chant, which translates to “Victory to Lord Ram,” is a popular expression of devotion. However, the interaction captured in the video has been met with mixed responses, with many users expressing discomfort and embarrassment.
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The Incident Captured
The short clip, initially shared on Instagram by photographer Pallav Paliwal, shows Gomez posing for a video alongside the Indian man who introduces her to the chant. “Say Jai Shree Ram,” the fan says, to which Gomez responds with a puzzled look, repeating the words as a question. When the man insists, calling it “India’s best slogan,” Gomez smiles politely and replies, “Thank you, honey,” avoiding further engagement.
Claims and Context
Although Paliwal claimed the video was recent and posted it during the Diwali season, observant viewers noted that Gomez’s hairstyle, jewelry, and attire pointed to footage from the Cannes Film Festival in France last year. This discrepancy did not stop the video from gaining traction online.
Mixed Reactions Online
The video quickly spread from Instagram to X (formerly Twitter), where it garnered lakhs of views and triggered a wave of negative comments. Many users voiced their discomfort over the situation, with one Instagram user stating, “Our religion doesn’t need unnecessary foreign validation. Stop embarrassing yourself and us along with you.” Others echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that such acts were unnecessary and reflected poorly on the community.
Social Media Takes
On X, responses ranged from embarrassment to frustration. Comments like “I’m getting second-hand embarrassment from this” and “I don’t know what people get by embarrassing themselves” were common. Some users lamented that the traditional Indian greeting of “Namaste” seemed sidelined by such unexpected interactions.