Indian Travel Vlogger Anant Mittal Recounts 15 Hour Detention Ordeal in China

Indian travel vlogger Anant Mittal, widely known by his online name On Road Indian, has spoken publicly about a deeply distressing experience after being detained by Chinese authorities for nearly fifteen hours during a recent visit.

The incident, which occurred in mid November, has sparked concern among Indian travellers and content creators, while also drawing attention to the sensitivities surrounding online expression and cross border travel.

Mittal, who has been visiting China regularly for the past six years as part of his travel documentation work, described the detention as physically exhausting and emotionally traumatic.

Speaking to Indian media outlets and later sharing his account through social media and YouTube, he emphasised that he had no political motive and no intention of provoking controversy.

According to Mittal, the ordeal began immediately after he arrived at a Chinese airport.

He was stopped at immigration and escorted to a detention area without being given a clear explanation.

In a video later shared on Instagram, he stated that a sticker on his passport appeared to trigger an alert in the immigration system, prompting officials to take him aside for further checks.

What initially seemed like a routine inquiry soon turned into a prolonged detention.

Mittal said that he was kept waiting for hours without any meaningful communication from authorities.

Several other foreign nationals were also present in the holding area, adding to the sense of uncertainty.

After nearly two hours without any update, he realised the situation was more serious than he had anticipated.

He was later moved to another room, where officials confiscated his phone and camera, allegedly to prevent him from recording the proceedings.

His tablet device, however, was overlooked, allowing him to document parts of the experience.

One of the most troubling aspects of Mittal’s account relates to the conditions during his detention.

He alleged that he was not provided any food throughout the fifteen hour period.

Water, he said, was given only once and in a very small quantity, after repeated requests.

“They did not give me food. After a lot of pleading, they gave me around 300 to 400 grams of water,” Mittal said in an interview.

He added that the lack of rest, food, and communication left him extremely weak.

As the hours passed, he claimed his physical condition deteriorated to the point where he struggled to speak.

Fear and exhaustion began to take a toll, particularly as no clear reason for the detention was communicated to him.

Mittal believes the detention was linked to a video he had previously posted online expressing concern for an Arunachal Pradesh resident who was reportedly detained in China.

Although the video did not contain hostile or political messaging, Mittal felt that it may have drawn unwanted attention from authorities.

As the detention continued, he said he began connecting the situation to that video and feared potential consequences.

Eventually, after his release, he decided to remove the video from his platforms.

“I removed the video because it could cause issues for me personally. I am still in trauma,” he said.

Mittal stressed repeatedly that he has no political affiliations and harbours no ill will toward any country.

He described himself simply as a travel enthusiast who aims to share cultures, landscapes, and human stories through his journeys.

After nearly fifteen hours in custody, Mittal said a Chinese official returned and calmly informed him that the “process” was complete.

He was then told that he had to leave the country.

There was no formal explanation given for the detention, he claimed, nor was any written notice provided.

Shortly afterward, arrangements were made for his departure.

Mittal has since confirmed that he returned safely to India.

Upon his return, he uploaded a detailed account of the incident on his YouTube channel, clarifying that the video was shared voluntarily and not under pressure.

“I am already back in India safely. I am not uploading this video under any pressure. I am just speaking from the heart,” he wrote, ending his message with a traditional greeting.

Reflecting on the experience, Mittal expressed a deep sense of helplessness.

In several interviews and videos, he repeated the phrase “humaari koi aukaat nahi,” a Hindi expression conveying powerlessness in the face of authority.

He also blamed himself for posting the earlier video related to Arunachal Pradesh, saying he hoped both Indian and Chinese authorities would understand the fear and stress he endured.

Mittal noted that he had studied in India’s Northeast for three years and feels a strong emotional connection to the region.

Learning about another Indian from Arunachal Pradesh facing difficulties in China had moved him to speak up, he said, without anticipating the personal consequences.

Mittal’s experience comes close on the heels of another reported incident involving an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh.

In October, a woman identified as Prema was allegedly detained for nearly eighteen hours at Shanghai airport while transiting to Japan.

According to her account, Chinese officials questioned her passport and allegedly claimed that Arunachal Pradesh is part of China, telling her that her Indian passport was invalid.

She also reported harassment and verbal abuse during the detention.

While Chinese authorities have not publicly commented on either case, these incidents have raised concerns among Indian travellers, particularly those from sensitive border regions or those who have expressed opinions online related to territorial issues.

Despite the ordeal, Mittal has continued to emphasise a message of peace and cultural exchange.

He reiterated that his work as a vlogger is driven by curiosity and a desire to connect people through travel, not to promote political narratives.

“I have no hate for anyone. I just love everyone and share this world with you through my eyes,” he wrote in a social media post.

Supporters and fellow content creators have since expressed solidarity with him, praising his courage in speaking openly about the experience and urging travellers to remain cautious and informed when crossing international borders.

The incident serves as a reminder of the complex realities faced by travellers in the digital age, where online content can sometimes have unexpected offline consequences.

For vloggers and independent creators, it underscores the importance of understanding local laws, geopolitical sensitivities, and the limits of free expression across borders.

As Anant Mittal resumes his life and work in India, his story has sparked a wider conversation about traveller safety, diplomatic sensitivities, and the need for transparency in international detentions.

For now, Mittal says he is focusing on recovery and reflection, hoping that no other traveller has to endure a similar experience simply for sharing concern and compassion in an increasingly connected world.