Vadodara, Gujarat – A unique and dramatic protest unfolded in Vadodara, Gujarat, on September 19, 2025, when a woman brought traffic to a standstill near Sursagar Lake, demanding her two allegedly missing pani puris. The incident, captured on video, quickly went viral across social media platforms, sparking widespread discussion and amusement.
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Table of Contents
The Heart of the Dispute
The bizarre standoff began around 5:00 PM when a regular customer at a local pani puri stall accused the vendor of short-changing her. She claimed that for Rs 20, she consistently received only four pani puris instead of the expected six. This ongoing dispute culminated in her decision to stage a public demonstration.
Road Blockade and Emotional Plea
In an extraordinary turn of events, the woman sat cross-legged in the middle of a busy road, refusing to move until her demand for “six puris for Rs 20, no less” was met, or the vendor’s cart was permanently removed.
- Emotional Outburst: She broke down in tears, pleading with arriving police officers, “Every time he gives me fewer panipuris and abuses me. He bullies me and treats me badly. I don’t want his lorry here, stop it.”
- Traffic Disruption: Her protest caused significant traffic delays for several hours, drawing a large crowd of curious onlookers.
Police Intervention and Resolution
The Vadodara Police’s DIAL 112 emergency response team was deployed to manage the escalating situation.
- Negotiation: Officers spent considerable time counseling the woman, eventually convincing her to clear the road and allowing traffic to resume.
- Vendor’s Temporary Removal: Taking the woman’s threats seriously, police later revisited the location and instructed the vendor to temporarily remove his stall, bringing the heated dispute to a close.
Vendor’s Denial
The pani puri vendor vehemently denied the allegations, stating he had operated his stall at the same location for 14 years without incident. He claimed, “I even gave her extra panipuris to calm her down, but she still hit me,” expressing shock at the woman’s dramatic actions.
Social Media Erupts
Videos of the “pani puri protest” quickly became a sensation on Instagram, Twitter (X), and YouTube, leading to a flurry of diverse reactions:
- “2 Pani Puri ke liye Satyagrah”: Many dubbed the incident a “Satyagraha for two pani puris,” humorously referencing Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent protests.
- Public Sentiment: Comments ranged from supportive, “Kudos to her, man. Govt should make it mandatory that Rs 20 must get you at least 6 panipuris,” to humorous suggestions like taking the matter to the Supreme Court.
- Cultural Connection: Netizens also highlighted the deep cultural significance of pani puri, particularly its connection with women in India.