Eateries near Kumari Aunty's stall urge vloggers, YouTubers to refrain from filming amid controversy, business downturn

HYDERABAD: In this age of digital storytelling, vloggers have become the modern-day ambassadors for new experiences and local treasures.

Among the myriad of eateries and culinary delights, one name stood out - Kumari aunty's humble eatery, which became a sensation on social media platforms thanks to the viral videos and Instagram reels of food vloggers and youtubers.

With an insatiable appetite for exploring the city's culinary landscape, vloggers eagerly documented Kumari aunty's delectable offerings, elevating her eatery to newfound fame. However, this newfound popularity came with its own set of challenges, as the increased foot traffic began causing congestion in the area, prompting the Cyberabad police to intervene and temporarily shut down her shop.

Despite the setback, Kumari aunty's loyal customers and admirers rallied behind her, expressing their support across social media platforms. Their voices did not go unheard, as Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, intervened to ensure that Kumari aunty's eatery could continue its operations without any inconvenience.

Kumari aunty thanked the Chief Minister for the assurance and everything seemed to be easing for Aunty Kumari until some frustrated unemployed youth gathered in Madhapur and started protesting against GO 46 outside her food stall.

The protests were triggered by Revanth Reddy's intervention, swiftly resolving the closure of their eatery by the Cyberabad police. Unemployed youth claimed their prolonged protest was disregarded by the Chief Minister, contrasting with immediate action taken in Kumari’s case. They argued that GO 46 unfairly affected police aspirants from rural Telangana districts, imposing eligibility restrictions for Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) jobs.

Amidst the buzz surrounding Kumari aunty's shop, the influx of visitors, spurred on by its viral fame, has sparked protests and exacerbated the already crowded premises. As tensions rise, neighboring eatery owners voice their grievances, lamenting the disruptive overcrowding plaguing the area. One owner, in a fervent plea to food vloggers and YouTubers, implores them to refrain from filming and amplifying their stalls, citing the chaos it brings to fellow businesses.

Many nearby eateries have expressed concerns over declining businesses following the surge in popularity of Kumari Aunty's stall. One of them said, ''Even before her rise to fame, Kumari aunty attracted more customers than us. However, the influx has now intensified, impeding our ability to serve our patrons adequately. The presence of vloggers and YouTubers only worsened the situation, further harming our businesses."

Inspector Ganesh Patel said, "Despite issuing numerous challans, the congestion around Kumari aunty's stall persists. The influx of vloggers and YouTubers seems to be aggravating the situation, causing inconvenience to both legitimate customers and neighboring businesses. Over 500 challans have been issued in the vicinity to deter no-zone parking and alleviate traffic disruptions."

Local eateries in the area have also expressed concern over the possibility of increased crowds and potential police crackdowns that could lead to the closure of their businesses.