Authorities in Bali are searching for an unidentified foreign national after a video surfaced online showing the man meditating nak*d at a Hindu temple on the Indonesian island. The incident has sparked outrage among locals who found the act disrespectful.
The Controversial Video
The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows the foreigner sitting cross-legged and meditating in the n*de in front of a Hindu shrine in Bali. The incident came to prominent notice when a Balinese influencer, Ni Luh Djelantik, reposted the video on her Instagram account, gaining hundreds of thousands of views and sparking anger among netizens.
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Djelantik denounced the man’s actions as “disrespectful” and called for his deportation. “Meditating nak*d at our temple? How could you do this, humiliating the Balinese and their belief?” she wrote.
Authorities Launch Investigation
Authorities including Bali’s Immigration Office have begun efforts to identify and locate the foreign national. Immigration chief Tedy Riyandi said they are contacting the man’s social media accounts but have received no response so far. Police coordination is underway to ascertain the time and place of the incident.
The man’s name and nationality have not been disclosed pending investigation. Riyandi stated that Bali does not need tourists who show blatant disrespect toward Balinese culture and religious sites.
More Cases of Tourist Misconduct
This case highlights the rise in offensive incidents by tourists on the Hindu-majority island. In June 2022, a Danish woman was deported after a viral video showed her flashing locals while riding a motorcycle in Bali. Another Russian tourist was expelled for posing n*de in front of a sacred tree the same year.
The local government published an etiquette guide for tourists after repeated uproars over uncouth tourist behavior. With tourism vital for Bali’s economy, authorities aim to welcome respectful visitors while cracking down on unruly ones.
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The Hindu Island of Bali
The incident occurred on the island of Bali, which is known for its natural beauty, lush greenery and Hindu culture. Over 80 percent of Bali’s population practices Hinduism, making n*de meditation at temples offensive to local sensibilities. As the search continues, the case highlights the need for tourist sensitivity toward cultural values on the island.
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