A man was arrested in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, after allegedly spitting on a woman pilgrim's 'kanwar' during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra. The incident occurred on Monday evening in Purkazi town when the woman, who was returning from Haridwar with holy Ganga water, paused to rest.
According to police reports, the accused has been identified as Usman. Following the incident, a case was registered against him, and he was taken into custody. Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Satyanarayan Prajapat stated that police intervened quickly to defuse tensions and pacify a group of angry pilgrims who had gathered at the scene.
The woman pilgrim, Muskan from Delhi, was carrying 31 liters of holy Ganga water, while her brother, Anshul Sharma, was carrying a 101 liters kanwar. They were walking back from Haridwar with other pilgrims when the incident took place in Purkazi.
Usman's family has claimed that he is deaf, mute, and mentally unstable. The police have stated that an investigation is underway and that they are taking steps to maintain peace in the area during the Kanwar Yatra. Authorities also arranged for a new 'kanwar' to be brought from Haridwar so the woman could continue her pilgrimage.
The Kanwar Yatra is an annual religious pilgrimage during which devotees collect water from the Ganga River and offer it at Shiva temples. Large numbers of people walk long distances during this time, and security is typically heightened along the route.
