A video of Indian tourists performing garba atop Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa has sparked controversy online, with many social media users calling the act inappropriate and disrespectful.
The now-viral clip, originally posted by Dubai-based content creator The Walking Lens, shows the group dancing in a circle to the upbeat Gujarati track Chogada from the 2018 Bollywood film Loveyatri. The performance took place on the skyscraper’s observation deck, a popular tourist destination offering panoramic views of the city.
“A viral video shows tourists dancing to the Chogada song on top of the iconic Burj Khalifa,” read the caption of the Instagram post that quickly gained traction.
However, the reaction in the comments section was far from celebratory. Dozens of users criticised the group for what they viewed as inappropriate conduct in a public and internationally significant location.
“Stop embarrassing the rest of us,” one user commented. Another wrote, “Why is this being glorified? We must learn to respect the sanctity of public places.”
Others pointed out the lack of consideration for fellow visitors. “It’s not proper etiquette to do this in public areas, as other people might get disturbed,” a user noted. “We have to respect that.”
This isn’t the first time such an incident has drawn backlash. Earlier this month, another group of Gujarati tourists faced criticism in Austria after reportedly requesting local street performers to play a garba track so they could dance on a public street.
While cultural pride and celebration are welcomed in appropriate settings, netizens have urged tourists to be mindful of local norms and the shared nature of public spaces—especially at globally recognised landmarks.
