American YouTuber Tyler Oliveira Faces Backlash for Filming India's Cow-Dung Festival

American YouTuber Tyler Oliveira has sparked widespread controversy and backlash after filming and posting content about the Gorehabba festival, a cow dung-throwing ritual in the Indian village of Gumatapura, Karnataka. Oliveira's portrayal of the event, including wearing a hazmat suit and describing the experience as "the shittiest" of his life, was seen by many as disrespectful, ignorant, and racist, igniting a fierce online debate and accusations of smearing India's image. The festival is a sacred Hindu tradition believed to bring blessings and purification, but Oliveira's sensationalist approach overlooked this cultural significance, leading to criticism from Indian netizens and claims that his content was part of a planned smear campaign. Despite the backlash, Oliveira defended the authenticity of his footage and promised a full video release, while also sharing screenshots showing his videos were being mass reported and censored. This incident adds to Oliveira's history of controversies involving India, including previous remarks about the country's hygiene standards. The episode highlights tensions around cultural sensitivity and the responsibilities of influencers when engaging with foreign traditions.