'They beat me, I can't walk': Punjabi youth's desperate video from Mexico breaks Internet, says don't take donkey route
PTC Web Desk: A video showing a Punjabi Sikh youth crying and pleading for help in Mexico has gone viral on social media, with the young man warning others against using illegal routes to reach foreign countries.
The 33-second video, reportedly uploaded on August 13, shows the youth lying on a bed inside a room. He appears frightened and repeatedly folds his hands while urging people not to travel to Mexico through the illegal ‘donkey route’.
The identity and exact location of the youth have not been disclosed in the video.
#jodhe during their Gurdwara sponsored dunki route in Mexico..#Waheguru Mehr kare. pic.twitter.com/0gX4WCEw69 — The Paa (@thePaaReal) August 11, 2026
In the viral clip, the young man claims that he entered Mexico through the illegal migration route and later tried to escape from the people allegedly involved in the network. He says he was assaulted after attempting to flee and claims that the injuries were so severe that he is now struggling to walk properly.
The youth also points towards the person recording the video and alleges that the same person had brought him to the location.
Visibly distressed, he tells others not to repeat his mistake. He admits that travelling through the illegal route was a mistake and says he has already suffered the consequences.
Throughout the video, the youth appears emotional and repeatedly appeals to people not to get trapped in similar situations.
His warning is aimed particularly at those considering travelling abroad through agents who promise to arrange journeys through illegal migration networks.
He says that people should think carefully before trusting such agents and taking the risky route.
The video ends with the youth folding his hands and apologising.
Posts accompanying the video claim that several young people who travelled through the ‘donkey route’ are stranded in Mexico. The posts also state that prayers are being offered for the safety of those allegedly stuck there.
However, the viral video itself does not independently establish the identity of the youth, his exact location or the circumstances surrounding his alleged assault.
The term ‘donkey route’ is commonly used for irregular migration journeys in which migrants travel through multiple countries in an attempt to eventually reach destinations such as the United States. These journeys are often arranged through agents or intermediaries and can involve significant amounts of money. The cost can reportedly range from around Rs 20 lakh to Rs 70 lakh, depending on the route and arrangements.
Important: The claims made by the youth in the viral video and the accompanying social media posts have not been independently verified. The identity of the person, his exact location and the circumstances of the alleged assault remain unclear.
- With inputs from agencies
