On the morning of May 19, 2022, at 7 AM, a significant event unfolded as all river guides united in protest due to changes in River rafting rules of Rishikesh. The cause behind this collective action was the police confiscating GoPro cameras from river guides, hampering their ability to generate income through video recordings. This move, orchestrated by the Jal Police and GRR team, led to the outright ban of GoPro usage in the river.
After enduring the consequences of this restriction, with approximately 5-10 guides feeling its impact, a unified decision was made. They declared a strike, refusing to resume work until granted permission to use GoPro cameras for video recording.
Some guides took a proactive approach, positioning themselves at the starting point and on the river, preventing other rafts from entering. This demonstration of solidarity aimed to underscore the severity of their plea.
Three hours into the strike, the police acknowledged the gravity of the situation and initiated discussions with the protesting guides. In a consensus reached during the dialogue, the authorities lifted the ban on GoPro usage for video recording by river guides.
With this resolution, the river guides, triumphant in their stand for their rights, resumed their work, ensuring their ability to capture and share the exhilarating experiences of river rafting through the lens of their GoPro cameras.