In a troubling incident from Himachal Pradesh, Kasia, a Polish solo traveller and content creator, documented her experience of being followed by a man during a mountain trek, after she politely declined to take a picture with him. The video of the interaction has since gone viral on Instagram, drawing widespread attention to issues of women’s safety and harassment, especially for foreign tourists in India.
Man Follows After Refusal for a Selfie
Kasia was walking down from her guest house in a remote mountainous area of Himachal Pradesh when she was approached by a man who asked her for a photo. Initially believing he wanted her to take a photo of him, she soon realised he actually wanted to pose for a picture with her.
She declined politely, stating she wasn’t in the mood for conversation or pictures.“After so much time spent in India and so many selfies taken with strangers that include small talk, I really don’t feel I want to do this anymore,” she wrote in her video caption.
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However, her refusal was not respected. According to Kasia, the man continued to follow her and even shouted at her in Hindi as she tried to walk away.
The Incident Caught on Camera
Feeling cornered, Kasia began recording the interaction. In the video, she can be heard saying:“I don’t want to take a picture with you. Can you stop following me? I don’t like this.”
The moment he noticed he was being recorded, the man quickly averted his gaze and walked away without saying a word.
Kasia later shared her thoughts in the video:“I am not an animal in the zoo to look at and take pictures. It’s so uncomfortable. To some Indian men, don’t be a creep. We, foreign women, don’t want to feel like meat… I am not an object. Let me be.”
Watch the viral video here:
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Not an Attack on India, But a Call for Change
Kasia clarified in a follow-up post that her intention was never to generalise or malign the entire country.“There’s a saying that goes, India is not for beginners. My intention wasn’t to scare women or to put a bad name on the whole nation. My intention was to show an example of what not to do when you’re a man, and raise awareness.”
She admitted to hesitating before posting the video but ultimately decided it was important to address the issue publicly.“If we don’t address the issue and talk about it, nothing will change,” she said.
Despite the unsettling experience, Kasia affirmed that she would continue travelling solo and encouraged open dialogue on gender respect and personal boundaries.
Wider Concerns Over Tourist Safety
This incident has reignited debates around how foreign women tourists are treated, particularly in isolated or rural parts of India. While India remains a popular destination for international travellers, the experience shared by Kasia highlights the need for greater awareness, respect, and safety measures.
