A few months after Ed Sheeran’s unscheduled Church Street gig was halted, German social media personality Younes Zarou faced a similar situation on Wednesday evening when he was briefly detained by Cubbon Park police after a massive crowd assembled around him.
Zarou, who commands a follower base of over 21 million on Instagram, had posted earlier in the day: “Church Street, we are coming.” The announcement triggered a spontaneous turnout at the vibrant Bengaluru hotspot.
The police, alerted to the unexpected crowd, quickly arrived at the scene to manage the situation. Officers cited public safety concerns, referencing the tragic RCB celebration stampede in which 11 lives were lost, to explain the need for prior permission for such public appearances.
He was escorted in a police vehicle and dropped off at another location after assuring officials he wouldn’t return to the site.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Akshay M Hakay stated, “A social media influencer with over 20 million followers created a flash crowd on Church Street after announcing his visit. He was safely removed and advised against similar stunts that could endanger public safety.”
Church Street, a lively hub in central Bengaluru, has now witnessed multiple crowd-related alerts. In February, British singer Ed Sheeran’s impromptu street performance was also stopped due to lack of clearance, despite drawing enthusiastic fans with his hit ‘Shape of You’.