In today’s social media-driven world, fame is just one viral video away. But what happens when that fame is neither asked for nor welcomed? A 16-year-old girl named Monalisa Bhonsle, a simple garland seller from Indore, learned this the hard way. She went to Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj to sell rudraksha malas at the ongoing Kumbh Mela 2025. But what was supposed to be a way for her to earn a living, turned into a nightmare.
Girl named Monalisa who sells Garland in Prayagraj KumbhaMele ripes of heroines in Beauty.
Her Caramel Eye and Dusky Skin makes her look more like more beautiful
Those who spend 10000’s of rupees for face are nil infront of her.#Monalisa #KumbhMela #Prayagraj pic.twitter.com/pfXHL6rihw— ಬಬ್ರುವಾಹನ (@Paarmatma) January 18, 2025
Monalisa was just doing her job when a content creator captured her on camera. The video went viral and people were mesmerized by her beauty, grace, and striking blue eyes. Soon, her pictures flooded social media, and she became an internet sensation. But instead of bringing in more sales, this unwanted fame turned into a nightmare.
The most talked about topic in Kumbh Mela, Uttar Pradesh is this beautiful girl “Monalisa”.
📹Kumbh Mela India pic.twitter.com/xNU8Uv4rx2— Suresh Kumar Jingar (@Sureshjaihind1) January 19, 2025
अपना कर्मा करते रहना चाहिए.. pic.twitter.com/xmCpKMiCRO
— MONALISA (@monalisa_kumbh_) January 22, 2025
Men at the Kumbh Mela started following her, demanding selfies, and crowding her stall. A viral video shows Monalisa, dressed in a red salwar, desperately trying to escape the overwhelming crowd. Her family members had to step in, shielding her from the sea of men invading her space. At one point, she sat down and covered her face with a dupatta, trying to hide from the unwanted attention.
This poor girl “Monalisa” was selling garlands in Kumbh mela to earn livelihood. Look what her coreligionists did to her. These are the same people who ræped and paraded two Kuki women nàkéd in May, 2023. Shameful..! pic.twitter.com/DjPbRkXVle
— Jaspinder Kaur Udhoke (@udhokes) January 21, 2025
The irony is heartbreaking – fame, which is often associated with success, actually hurt Monalisa’s livelihood. Instead of buying her garlands, people came just to stare at her, take pictures, or get close to her. The crowd around her made it impossible for her to focus on selling rudraksha malas. Eventually, her father had to make a tough decision – he sent her home.
Her younger sister, Vidya, said in an interview, “People were after Monalisa all the time. It became difficult for her to focus on selling garlands. Our father decided it was best for us to go home for now.”
Social media users are now calling out the men who harassed Monalisa and made it unsafe for her to work. Have a look at some of the reactions here:
Nomadic tribal girl Monalisa is being unnecessarily harassed by people in Kumbh Mela, this is dangerous, the government should provide security to this girl. pic.twitter.com/nEEKDpXaGv
— The Dalit Voice (@ambedkariteIND) January 22, 2025
The harassement of Monalisa in Kumbh possibly proves that ‘Indian mardon ke paap dhulne mushkil hi nahin, namumkin hain’.
— Darab Farooqui (@darab_farooqui) January 22, 2025
I’ll say it again and it don’t care that it offends the snowflakes in India –
WOMEN. ARE. NOT. SAFE. IN. INDIA.
It’s as simple as that. India venerates female goddesses and yet is incapable of respecting and protecting its actual women. Joke of a country 🙄🤦🏽♂️
— JeetM 🪯 (@JeetusM) January 22, 2025
Are women safe in our country?
— Swarndeep S Batth (@swarndeep_s) January 23, 2025
This has to happen!
A girl who went viral as MonaLisa at Kumbh Mela is being harassed
There is no civic sense in India pic.twitter.com/raVCG32TBC— SS Sagar (@SSsagarHyd) January 21, 2025
She is a simple 16 year old girl who sells beads for a living and had to move back to her hometown soon after she caught the attention of these creepy vultures, constantly harassing her in the name of photos. Indian men can never let a woman exist in peace. https://t.co/S4LeY5MjBd
— brown barbie (@malaeykah) January 22, 2025
This incident is a harsh reminder that fame isn’t always a blessing. Monalisa never asked for this attention – she just wanted to do her job. It is heartbreaking to learn that she had to leave because of this nuisance.