Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has stated that there was an initial attempt to defame the Kanwar Yatra, which commenced on July 10. He made this statement on Monday, although he did not specify who was behind the alleged attempts to malign the pilgrimage.
The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage where devotees of Lord Shiva, known as Kanwariyas, travel to Haridwar and other holy sites to collect water from the Ganges River. They then carry this water back to their hometowns to offer it at Shiva temples. The Yatra holds immense significance for Hindus and attracts millions of devotees from across India.
Similar sentiments have been expressed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has accused certain elements of trying to malign the religious pilgrimage both online and offline using false narratives. He urged every Kanwar Sangh and devotee to take responsibility for the sanctity of the Yatra, and stated that those attempting to defame the Kanwar Yatra under the guise of devotees must be identified and kept away. He also warned that strict action would be taken against miscreants and vandals, and that authorities possess CCTV footage of those trying to defame the Yatra by engaging in vandalism. Adityanath also claimed that Kanwar Yatris are being subjected to "media trials" that portray them as 'hooligans' and 'terrorists', which he sees as an insult to India's heritage. He further said that those who seek to defame the Kanwar Yatris are the same people who tried to separate the tribal community from India.
These statements come amid reports of violence and vandalism linked to the Kanwar Yatra. There have been reports of Kanwariyas obstructing highways, damaging property, and engaging in altercations. Videos have surfaced showing Kanwariyas damaging vehicles, attacking school buses, ransacking shops, and even assaulting a CRPF personnel.
In response to such incidents, CM Adityanath has said that once the Kanwar Yatra concludes peacefully, posters of these miscreants will be put up and strict action will be taken against them.
Despite the controversies, the Kanwar Yatra continues to be a significant religious event. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed Kanwariyas in Haridwar and washed the feet of pilgrims. He highlighted that the Kanwar Yatra is not only a religious event but also a symbol of faith, devotion, and Sanatan culture. He appealed to the Kanwariyas that even if someone faces some difficulty, they should not create difficulty for others. Flowers were also showered on Shiva devotees from a helicopter in Haridwar.
