A dispute over loudspeaker usage during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Kanpur led to a confrontation between a temple priest and a police official, resulting in the suspension of the officer. The incident occurred on Friday, June 27, 2025, ahead of the historic Rath Yatra.
According to reports, the controversy arose when police officials instructed organizers to limit the sound system to only two speakers. Mahant Jitendra Das and Krishna Das of the Jagannath temple stated that the police's instructions came just before the Rath Yatra was set to begin. Organizers protested, alleging that the police misbehaved with them.
Mahant Jitendra Das, the priest of the Hanuman temple in the Panki area, threatened self-immolation if the police didn't allow the procession to proceed with the additional sound systems. Tensions escalated as devotees and supporters gathered, raising anti-police slogans and demanding the suspension of the sub-inspector from the Naya Ganj police outpost. Traders in Nayaganj and nearby markets closed their shops in support of the Mahant's appeal.
SP MLA Amitabh Bajpai and his supporters joined the demonstrators, who recited 'Hanuman Chalisa'. Vivek Gupta, the general secretary of the temple committee, alleged that the Badshahi Naqa inspector had physically assaulted the sound system operator and verbally abused both him and the Panki Mahant.
Senior police officials attempted to pacify the crowd, but the Mahant and his followers remained firm in their demand for the suspension of the responsible officer. The priest gave an ultimatum, stating he would set himself on fire if no action was taken against the police personnel by 8 pm.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Satyajeet Gupta announced the suspension of Station Officer Rajiv Kumar of the Badshahi Naka police station for allegedly misbehaving with Mahant Jitendra Das and using abusive language. Gupta also appealed to the Mahant, devotees, and others to proceed with the Jagannath Rath Yatra without removing the additional sound systems, in order to avoid further delays. He requested everyone to maintain peace and not to heed rumors.
As a precaution, additional police forces were deployed along the procession route. Authorities stated the situation was under control, but they remained vigilant and would deal sternly with rumor-mongers. Additional DCP Mahesh Kumar confirmed that a probe into the incident has been launched.
The Kanpur Police Commissionerate had implemented Section 163 BNS on Thursday, which mandates adherence to Allahabad and Lucknow High Court directives regarding loudspeaker usage. The provision requires prior permission for using more than two loudspeakers within the police commissionerate limits.
The 210-year-old Jagannath Rath Yatra was halted due to the loudspeaker dispute. The incident led to a road blockade, recitation of Hanuman Chalisa, and negotiations between organizers and police officials.
