However, this lighthearted joke led to police investigations due to potential safety issues. A humorous post entitled ‘Rent a garba partner’ by student Krish Mistry caught the attention of many, quickly going viral. Experts cautioned that such social media trends might inadvertently open doors to financial fraud, particularly affecting the vulnerable. Responses were mixed, showcasing a divide between those amused and those concerned about safety during festive celebrations.
Written By: Yashaswi Kochar
Such trends can lead to financial frauds: Cops DV Gamit, Inspector, Cyber Cell, Surat City, says, “We have not received any complaints yet, but such trends can lead to financial frauds. Riya Korwani, a social media strategist, says, “I wouldn’t really be comfortable renting a random garba partner. However, Disha Pancholi, a garba lover, says, “I would absolutely rent a partner!
Background: Krish Mistry, a student from Valsad, uploaded a reel titled ‘Rent a garba partner’ (he just added his photo to an existing concept before sharing), with three different packages. it quickly went viral and sparked debates and heated discussions While it was intended as satirical content. The post, shared by many, invited police scrutiny and was later deleted. Cops and cyber experts have warned people about potential fraud and other risks. The aftermath: While posts offering outfits and accessories on rent have been common on Instagram for years, few would have imagined a ‘rent a garba partner’ announcement. However, while the now-deleted post was intended just for entertainment, it quickly went viral with thousands of shares and millions of likes, inviting policy scrutiny and protests by some groups. Cops have warned that such posts can be used to scam garba lovers. Krish Mistry, a student from Valsad who uploaded the reel, tells us, “I did not expect this to go viral. Most people understood that it was sarcasm, but I received many enquiries too. I never intended to do this as a commercial activity; it was just a joke. Fraudsters are rampant in the digital world, and they usually target vulnerable youngsters who are lonely and looking for a partner. They create fake profiles and send people messages with the aim of gaining financially. He adds, “Currently, we are monitoring these reels and posts on social media and getting them deleted is our priority. No one truly knows a person in a day, so it is important to do a background check. No financial transaction should take place without verification of the person. As there is no organisation that is officially offering ‘rent a garba partner’, even police cannot verify them. So, people need to be aware and not get involved in these trends. ” Would you actually consider it? Even if such services are actually offered, not everyone is convinced about opting for it. For me, safety and comfort come first, and dancing with a complete stranger could make the whole experience feel quite awkward. If my friends aren’t available, I’d rather join a garba group than hire an individual partner. ” Safety is always a concern during Navratri, and many parents and even partners sometimes hire detectives during Navratri. A detective from a city-based detective agency shares, “At a basic level, identity and address verification can help establish whether the person is genuine. Where appropriate and legally permissible, previous references, publicly available social media information and other relevant background details can also be checked. Always avoid sharing financial information or handing over valuables. Who likes dancing alone? Having someone who’s actually obliged to dance with you even when everyone else is tired sounds pretty fun to me. Safety is an obvious concern. But in this era, if you’re an extrovert and enjoy meeting new people, then I think you should go for it. At the end of the day, it’s the responsibility of both people to make each other feel safe and comfortable. ” You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.