Andhra Designer Faces Backlash Over Viral Post Calling Kolkata “Dirtiest City in India”

An Andhra Pradesh-based designer, DS Balaji, recently found himself at the center of a social media storm after posting a scathing critique of Kolkata on X (formerly Twitter). In a series of posts, Balaji labeled Kolkata the "dirtiest city of India," drawing sharp reactions from Kolkata residents and social media users across the country. His comparison of Kolkata to a "starving African city" has particularly fueled the controversy.

Balaji documented his visit to Kolkata with photos of littered streets, open gutters, and overcrowded market areas, including Sealdah and Bada Bazaar. He described the city as having "unbearable stench" and highlighted the unhygienic conditions, calling it the most unpleasant experience he’d had in any Indian city. “This is not some starving African city, it’s Kolkata,” he wrote, attaching images of locals eating beside overflowing drains and vendors selling goods near open sewage.

In his thread, Balaji recounted feeling disturbed by Kolkata’s atmosphere, describing it as "low energy" and "depressing." He claimed that visiting a popular vegetable market was so appalling it put him off food for two days. "The food which you will eat is kept on a gutter, filthy-smelling floor. While people are just fighting, abusing, and spitting," he added, sparking heated arguments in the comments.

The post quickly went viral, amassing over 6.2 million views, with social media users weighing in from both sides. While a few people were shocked at the images and acknowledged the issues with sanitation in certain parts of Kolkata, the majority criticized Balaji for presenting a skewed view of the city. “You only visited the older areas. Every city has its unkempt parts," one user wrote, adding that new areas like Salt Lake and New Town showcase a much cleaner side of Kolkata.

Supporters of Kolkata pointed out that the conditions Balaji highlighted are often restricted to certain older neighborhoods, a situation common in many Indian cities. Many Kolkata residents expressed sadness at the truth in his statements but also emphasized that the city has much more to offer. A Kolkata-based user commented, “Kolkata may have its flaws, but there’s a warmth and history here that’s unmatched."

Balaji ended his post on a more hopeful note, wishing Kolkata growth and improvement, but his initial remarks have left many with a bitter taste. The incident has reignited discussions on the challenges and ongoing efforts needed to improve sanitation and infrastructure in major Indian cities, especially in rapidly growing areas like Kolkata.