YouTuber Tyler Oliveira Cancels Documentary on India's Cow Dung Festival After Outrage
American YouTuber Tyler Oliveira has cancelled the release of his documentary about India's Gorehabba festival, a post-Diwali celebration in which villagers in Gumatapura, Karnataka, throw cow dung at each other. The decision comes after Oliveira faced severe backlash and threats online, including doxxing and attacks targeting his family.
Oliveira's initial involvement with the festival and his subsequent online posts sparked immediate controversy. He shared a teaser video titled "Inside India's Poop-Throwing Festival" and photos of himself in a hazmat suit covered in cow dung. Many Indian social media users found the portrayal disrespectful and culturally insensitive, accusing Oliveira of mocking a sacred tradition. Some critics alleged that he presented the ritual, which is believed to bring blessings and purification, as a grotesque spectacle.
The backlash escalated rapidly, with Oliveira reporting that he and his family were doxxed and threatened by thousands of Indians. "Tens of thousands of Indians have turned my life into a living hell. My family has been attacked in ways I never could have imagined," Oliveira stated in a post on X. He added that visiting the festival was "the worst decision" of his life.
In response to the intense criticism, Oliveira initially defended his actions, stating, "It isn't racist to film a poop-throwing festival". He also accused critics of trying to censor reality. However, as the threats intensified, Oliveira ultimately decided to pull the plug on the documentary. "After much consideration, I have decided I will NOT be releasing my documentary capturing India's poop-throwing festival," he announced. "I am only one man… I cannot defeat the combined power of 1.5 billion Indians who yearn for my destruction. I simply cannot continue fighting this war and must choose my battles. This one simply isn't worth it".
Oliveira maintained that he never intended to insult Indian culture or religion. "I just wanted to participate in this unusual poop-throwing festival and share it for the world to see," he explained. He also asked Indians to stop sending hate and leave his family alone.
The incident has sparked debate about the responsibilities of foreign content creators when filming cultural practices. Some Indian news outlets have suggested that the controversy highlights the need for foreign creators to thoroughly research and respect local customs before filming them. Others have pointed out that Oliveira's portrayal misrepresented the Gorehabba festival as a widespread Indian or Diwali practice, even though it is specific to a single village.
Oliveira, known for his man-on-the-street interviews and challenge videos, has faced criticism in the past for his content. Some have accused him of spreading misinformation and creating sensationalized content for online engagement. In this instance, his depiction of the Gorehabba festival ignited a conversation about cultural sensitivity and the potential for misrepresentation when documenting foreign traditions.
