’Shirt ka button khula rakhoge toh GST’: Man pranks people with ’weird rules’ amid continued row over popcorn tax
India's new ingredient-based tax on popcorn has triggered widespread outrage and memes online.
An ingredient-based tax system for popcorn was announced in India last month — sparking outrage and a barrage of memes. Posts about the 'popcorn tax' have continued to gain momentum in recent weeks with a creator recently making up a series of ‘weird rules’ while interacting with strangers in public.
The now-viral clip features influencer Aryan Kataria approaching people with increasingly ridiculous assertions about the many things that could incur GST. This included holding a mobile phone with the right hand or keeping shirts unbuttoned — with most people instantly complying with his warnings.
“Right hand mein phone mat pakdo, GST lagta hai” he told several unsuspecting strangers.
People were quick to comply, quickly changing hands as they continued their phone conversations.
“Shirt ka button khula rakhoge toh GST bharna padega,” Kataria then warned a group of uniformed autorickshaw drivers.
“Accha?” the shocked driver responded before hesitantly buttoning up his uniform front.
Only a scant handful of people appeared to question the influencer — prompting a reminder about the graded tax for popcorn.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had issued a clarification about the tax incurred by popcorn last month following a GST Council meeting. Popcorn mixed with salt and spices is classified as namkeen and therefore attracts a 5% tax. The rate increases to 12% when it is pre-packed and labelled. Meanwhile caramel popcorn will incur an 18% tax rate as it is a sugar confectionary.
The viral Instagram video has since garnered thousands of likes and comments with some warning that ‘such videos could also incur GST’. Others insisted that the clip could serve as inspiration for future tax rules while many lamented the “sad state of affairs”.
“The seriousness of your tone!” laughed one user.
"People believing in it makes me really worried," lamented another.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Business NewsNewsTrends’Shirt ka button khula rakhoge toh GST’: Man pranks people with ’weird rules’ amid continued row over popcorn tax
First Published:2 Jan 2025, 06:18 PM IST
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