India's first-ever tomato festival ‘Toma Terra’ draws criticism, internet says ‘insensitive to all starving people’

Published on: May 8, 2025, 13:19:52 IST

By Akanksha Agnihotri

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Toma Terra festival faces backlash online over food waste amid starvation concerns. (File photo)

India's ‘Toma Terra’ festival, inspired by Spain's La Tomatina, sparks debate online, with many questioning its relevance amid hunger and waste concerns.

India is set to host its first-ever tomato festival, 'Toma Terra,' inspired by Spain's famous La Tomatina festival. The event is set to take place at Hyderabad's Experium Eco Park on May 11. While the idea of bringing tomato fight to India seems exciting to some, many on the internet aren't exactly thrilled. People have expressed their disappointment, with many questioning the relevance of hosting such an event in India. Let's take a look at what people have to say about the event. (Also read: Doctor ranks 10 most popular weight loss methods: Ozempic scores 7/10, while this one tops the list )

How internet reacted

The Instagram post about Toma Terra shared by the page Unstumbed sparked a flurry of critical comments. One user wrote, “Doesn't sound like a good idea for India. Do we have an excess of tomatoes? We could use them to feed the many people in desperate need of food instead.”

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Another added, "Why bring a wasteful practice here? We should be championing sustainability instead. People don't have enough water, there are farmer suicides, and you want to waste perfectly good food just so that some people can have fun?"

Another commented, "Meanwhile, children and people are starving in different parts of India." Another pointed out, "In a country where more than half the population of billions are starving…" Other users raised hygiene and resource-related issues. "It's a waste of food and resources... and it will be the most unhygienic thing to do in India," one person wrote. Another added, "This seems really terrible and insensitive to all the starving people of India!"

About Hyderabad's Toma Terra festival

Toma Terra is set to take place on May 11, 2025, at Experium Eco Park in Hyderabad. The event will run from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, featuring live music, a large-scale tomato fight, interactive games and food stalls. According to BookMyShow, tickets start at ₹499, with premium packages available up to ₹3,499. Children under 10 years of age can enter for free when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Akanksha Agnihotri
Akanksha Agnihotri is a lifestyle journalist with over 3 years of experience. She is a psychology graduate and holds a postgraduate diploma in Radio and Television Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, where she graduated as a gold medalist. Originally from Bhopal, the beautiful capital of Madhya Pradesh, she draws inspiration from the city’s rich cultural heritage and layered storytelling traditions that subtly shape her narrative voice. She writes extensively about fashion, beauty, health, relationships, culture, and food, exploring everything from trending styles and runway moments to wellness routines and mindful living. Passionate about meaningful and candid conversations, she enjoys interviewing celebrities, doctors, designers, and film personalities, diving into discussions on fitness, beauty, mental health, and everything fun in between. With a keen eye for trends and a thoughtful understanding of human behaviour, she brings depth, sensitivity, and authenticity to her stories, ensuring they resonate with a wide and diverse audience. When she’s not working, you’ll usually find her lost in a book, planning her next mountain trek, or mapping out spontaneous travel escapes. She loves discovering new authors, revisiting old favourites, and spending quiet afternoons in museums soaking in art, history, and culture. An avid bird-watching enthusiast, she finds joy in early morning walks, spotting rare birds, and reconnecting with nature. Whether sipping coffee while journaling her thoughts or exploring hidden corners of a new city, she constantly seeks inspiration in everyday moments that often turn into compelling story ideas.Read More

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