Medaram/Telangana: A street vendor from Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, faced public humiliation during the Medaram Jatara in Telangana after a group of YouTubers forced him to eat his own food. They claimed he was involved in “food jihad” and pressured him to prove otherwise for their video content.
The incident sparked widespread outrage across social media. Residents from his hometown, influencers, and political leaders condemned the harassment. Many criticised the YouTubers for exploiting the vendor’s dignity to gain “views and likes” on their channels.
Support from Minister Lokesh
Telangana Minister for IT and Communications, Nara Lokesh, responded directly to the incident on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote:
“Dear Brother Vali, I am deeply sorry that you had to endure this. Such divisive and communal behaviour has no place in our Telugu society, which has always stood for harmony, mutual respect, and brotherhood. I will meet you soon and look forward to tasting your famous Khoya bun! We stand together.”
His message highlighted unity and condemned communal and divisive actions, emphasising the values of harmony and brotherhood in Telugu society.
Public Reaction
The vendor’s story quickly went viral, with many pledging support and expressing solidarity. Local communities and social media users applauded him for handling the situation with dignity. The incident also ignited conversations about responsible journalism and the ethical responsibilities of content creators, especially during large public gatherings.
This incident serves as a reminder of the impact of social media content on real lives. Festivals like Medaram Jatara should remain spaces of respect, inclusion, and celebration rather than platforms for exploitation.
Dear Brother Vali, I am deeply sorry that you had to endure this. Such divisive and communal behavior has no place in our Telugu society, which has always stood for harmony, mutual respect, and brotherhood. I will meet you soon and look forward to tasting your famous Khoya bun!… https://t.co/AvckML9odY
— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) February 15, 2026
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