Foreign Vlogger Couple Alleges Sexual Harassment At Kerala's Thrissur Pooram

Indian culture is known for going to great lengths to showcase its matchless hospitality and heritage as we collectively believe in 'Atithi Devo Bhava' translated to 'guest is equivalent to God.' However, news reports and numerous online videos by our foreign tourists have highlighted how many Indians on the street often fail to abide by the belief.

From the tragic Spanish tourist case of gang rape in Jharkhand to many other groping and harassment cases with foreigners have come to light. This American-English vlogger couple's alleged ordeal is no different, as during the vibrant festival of Kerela, both the couple were allegedly sexually assaulted. 

Foreign Vlogger Couple Alleges Sex Harassment At Kerala's Thrissur Pooram

The famous tourist vlogger couple Mackenzie and Keenan are currently in India's Kerala, the state popular for its traditionally rooted festivals, art, and culture, as well as its serene tourist spots. This vlogger couple embracing the Malayalee culture visited the state to attend the iconic festival Thrissur Pooram.

The festival was held on April 19 and the couple after sharing the "best moments" on their Instagram page also shared 'Questionable Moments At Thrissur Pooram' in an Instagram video on April 25. In the video Keenan is seen taking interviews of people in the festival for her page, however, a man can be seen forcefully kissing Mackenzie. This is followed by another instance where Keenan mentions how a man in his 50s tried to grope and sexually assault him. He mentioned how the man ran away when he pushed his forceful hands away.

The couple further adds, “We had a wonderful time at Thrissur Pooram, but there were also some questionable moments…” that later showed these incidents of inappropriate behaviour. The couple tried to laugh it off by saying “People are getting frisky,” during the festivities. However, this discomfort is very apparent in the video.

Meanwhile, the Kerala police said they have yet not receive any report from the vlogger couple but have identified the man in the video. 

The comments of the video have been stormed by upset and angry netizens as an Indian travel vlogger commented "I was super happy to see you speaking Malayalam and enjoying the time here. But now feeling a bit ashamed now." Many others apologised to the couple on "their behalf" while others urged them to register a police complaint. 

This incident is not an isolated incident as there have been many incidents of sexual harassment with tourists, especially when it comes to foreign tourists and this is another incident for the call of action against perpetrators.

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A post shared by UNSTUK with Mac & Keen (@macnkeen)