Ghaziabad SHO’s “Citizenship Scanner” Sparks Outrage: Turning Humiliation into Awareness
On January 1, 2026, a short video shared by Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear), co-founder of Alt News, went viral on X, capturing a controversial moment in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The video shows a Station House Officer (SHO) holding a mobile phone against a man’s back, pretending it can detect if the man is Bangladeshi. The man insists he is from Araria, Bihar, highlighting the absurdity and humiliation of the situation.
Not Bajrang Dal members / VHP Member but SHO from Ghaziabad. Has the UP police come up with a new device to detect citizenship of people?
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) January 1, 2026
The man is claiming he is from Araria district in Bihar. pic.twitter.com/zen1RarKR6
The video, lasting just 26 seconds, depicts other police officers, including some in blue camouflage uniforms, checking documents from residents, including women and children, in narrow slum lanes. Zubair’s caption sarcastically asks if the UP Police has invented a “new citizenship device,” drawing attention to an unprofessional and possibly unconstitutional practice.
Fact & Context
Citizenship verification in India legally relies on documentation—such as Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and birth certificates—not gimmicks or phones pretending to scan a person. Similar operations in Uttar Pradesh often target informal settlements to curb crime and detect illegal immigration, sometimes including migrants from Bangladesh or Rohingya refugees.
However, the viral clip has sparked criticism because it seems to single out economically disadvantaged communities for public humiliation. Zubair clarified that this was not an action by groups like Bajrang Dal or VHP, but by state police, making accountability a state responsibility rather than private vigilance.
Public Reaction & Opinion
The tweet received over 237,000 views, with more than 7,400 likes and 2,800 reposts, showing a mix of outrage, humor, and defense of the police. Broadly, reactions fell into five categories:
- Criticism of Police (≈60%) – Users condemned the SHO for humiliating poor residents, overstepping authority, and ignoring civil rights. Comments like “Now SHO will decide who is Indian and who isn’t?” highlight public concern over arbitrary policing.
- Sarcasm/Humor (≈25%) – Many mocked the “device” with jokes about magical scanners or even Elon Musk supplying the tech, reflecting disbelief and frustration in a light-hearted manner.
- Defense of Police (≈10%) – Some defended the SHO, framing it as a light-hearted approach during routine verification against illegal immigration. Ghaziabad Police (@ghaziabadpolice) clarified it was standard document verification for crime control.
- Communal/Anti-Zubair (≈5%) – A few attacked Zubair personally, accusing him of defending immigrants or being anti-national.
- Miscellaneous – Includes calls for better training, questioning uniform use, and sarcastic suggestions for reforming police techniques.
Opinion & Future Implications
This incident is more than a viral joke—it reflects broader issues in policing, civil rights, and social accountability. While security is important, humiliating residents or relying on theatrics undermines public trust. Future expectations include potential policy reviews, better training in community-sensitive verification methods, and increased public scrutiny through media and fact-checking initiatives.
By turning this negative event into public awareness, citizens can push for responsible policing and protection of the rights of marginalized communities, ensuring dignity and legality remain at the forefront of law enforcement.
Conclusion
The Ghaziabad “scanner” video is a cautionary tale about the thin line between law enforcement and abuse of power. While police work is essential, accountability, training, and respect for constitutional rights must guide every action. Public outrage, combined with humorous critiques, may serve as the catalyst for more transparent, empathetic policing in Uttar Pradesh and across India.
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