A dispute over chutney served with bread pakodas escalated into a violent Hapur brawl in Uttar Pradesh, with four people injured after two groups clashed in a busy market. The incident took place in Dehra and was captured on video, with footage showing people attacking each other using stones, a cricket bat, belts and a large iron strainer.
It’s the 2nd Anniversary of the deadliest “Battle of Papdi-Chaat” fought at Baghpat that brought the world to its knees.
— Yo Yo Funny Singh (@moronhumor) February 22, 2023
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According to officials, the confrontation began after a group became angry when they were served tamarind chutney instead of green chutney with their bread pakodas. The disagreement quickly turned physical, with the shopkeeper being attacked and others stepping in to defend him.
The Hapur brawl has since drawn attention online because of the unusual trigger and the chaotic scenes captured in the videos. Police have started an investigation and are identifying those involved using the footage.
Hapur brawl begins after chutney dispute
The Hapur brawl reportedly started when a group objected to being served tamarind chutney with their bread pakodas instead of the green chutney they expected. The argument escalated when the group allegedly attacked the shopkeeper.
Officials said several people gathered after the shopkeeper came under attack, leading to a confrontation between the two sides. What began as a disagreement at a food stall soon spilt into the market, with multiple people joining the fight.
Videos from the incident show one man being pushed and pulled by several people until his T-shirt was almost torn apart. Another man then intervened and struck one of the attackers with a large iron strainer.
The person who was hit appears to become dazed briefly before later bending down to assist another man who was lying on the road. The Hapur brawl continued around them as several others became involved.
A man wearing a blue T-shirt is seen throwing a stone, while others struggle over a cricket bat. Another person carrying a belt is pulled forward by his shirt during the clash.
A woman can also be seen attempting to intervene and stop the violence, but the fight continues despite her efforts.
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Police investigate Hapur brawl, four injured
Four people were injured in the Hapur brawl, according to officials. Police have begun examining the video footage to identify the people involved and determine how the confrontation unfolded.
Circle Officer Munish Chandra said information had been received about a clash between two groups in Dehra and confirmed that a video of the incident had surfaced.
“An investigation is on, and medical examinations of the injured are being conducted,” Chandra said, adding that those involved were being identified on the basis of the video.
The officer said necessary legal action would follow once the individuals involved had been identified and the circumstances of the incident established.
The police investigation is expected to focus on the sequence of events that led from the initial disagreement over chutney to the wider street fight. The available footage is likely to form an important part of the process as officers identify those involved.
The Hapur brawl has also attracted attention because several everyday objects were reportedly used during the confrontation, including a cricket bat and an iron strainer.
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Hapur brawl recalls Baghpat chaat fight
The latest incident has inevitably drawn comparisons with another food-related street fight in Uttar Pradesh that became a viral internet sensation five years ago.
In 2021, two groups of chaat sellers clashed in Baghpat over allegations that they were competing to attract customers to their respective stalls. The fight took place in the middle of the road and was captured on video.
Footage of the Baghpat clash spread rapidly online, largely because of a man wearing a kurta and long, henna-coloured hair who became known on social media as “Einstein Chacha”. His appearance and role in the fight turned him into a widely shared internet meme.
The Baghpat incident remained a notable example of how a local dispute could quickly become a national social media talking point.
The Hapur brawl has now attracted similar online attention, though the circumstances differ. While the Baghpat fight involved competing chaat sellers, the latest confrontation reportedly began over the type of chutney served with a bread pakoda.
For now, police are investigating the Hapur incident, while the four injured people are undergoing medical examination. Authorities are also working to identify everyone who took part in the clash before deciding on further legal action.