Several incidents of attacks and violence were reported at various places in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana during the Kanwar Yatra 2024. At many places in UP, an uncontrolled mob of Kanwariyas (Devotees of Lord Shiva) have vandalised police vehicles and shops. In some incidents Kanwariyas were seen as creating nuisance and assaulting citizens.
Kanwariyas pelted stones on wine shop & vandalised Police Vehicle
A purported video of the incident went viral on social media where a mob of Kanwariyas overturned a police vehicle after vandalising it. According to Ghaziabad (UP) Police, the vandalised vehicle was working in the vigilance department. Police said the vehicle slightly touched the Kanwariyas without breaking the Kanwar. In the ideo posted on social media platform X, a mob of Kanwariyas are seen vandalising the police vehicle with stones and sticks. On incident, Madhuban Bapudham Station House Officer Shailendra Tomar said the vehicle involved was not a police vehicle, but a private one leased to the Vigilance department of the Power Corporation.
In #UttarPradesh‘s #Ghaziabad, Kanwariyas overturned a police vehicle after vandalising.
According to #GhaziabadPolice, This vehicle was working in the vigilance department, The vehicle slightly touched the #Kanwariyas without breaking the #Kanwar.#KanwarYatra2024 pic.twitter.com/HbrRueqMxS
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) July 29, 2024
Another incident was also reported in Ghaziabad where Kanwariyas pelted stones at a wine shop in Ghaziabad. The UP Police already covered all wine shops on the Kanwar route with cloths. However devotes objected and questioning why they were still visible.
Kanwariyas pelted stones at a wine shop in #Ghaziabad, #UttarPradesh.
The #UPPolice had already covered all wine shops on the #Kanwar route with cloths.
However, the devotees objected, questioning why they were still visible.#KanwarYatra2024 pic.twitter.com/1wLokC80Sq
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) July 30, 2024
Rickshaw driver died 5 days after assault by Kanwariyas
In Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, an e-rickshaw driver Mohit died 5 days after he was assaulted by the Kanwariyas for slightly hitting a man from the Kanwar Yatra. After the incident the police reached the spot and rescued the e-rickshaw driver and admitted him to the hospital for treatment. After treatment, the family took the e-rickshaw driver home. But five days later, Mohit died.
Kanwariyas pelted stones at a wine shop in #Ghaziabad, #UttarPradesh.
The #UPPolice had already covered all wine shops on the #Kanwar route with cloths.
However, the devotees objected, questioning why they were still visible.#KanwarYatra2024 pic.twitter.com/1wLokC80Sq
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) July 30, 2024
Women reach Taj Mahal with Kanwar, claimed monument ‘Tejo Mahalaya’
On July 29, a women of right-wing group carrying Kanwar on her shoulders tried to enter the Taj Mahal to offer ‘Gangajal’ with claiming the world heritage was a Lord Shiva temple ‘Tejo Mahalaya’. Subsequently, she was stopped by the policemen of ‘Taj Suraksha’ deployed at the barrier of the west gate of the Taj Mahal. Meenu Rathore, who claimed to be the district president of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha in Agra, insisted police officials to allow her to offer the ‘Gangajal’ in “Tejo Mahalaya” She further claimed that Lord Shiva came in her dreams and asked her to offer the ‘Gangajal’ at the monument.
“I came to Tejo Mahalaya to offer the ‘Gangajal’. Lord Shiv called me in my dreams and I brought Kanwar to offer at Tejo Mahalaya. But, they (policemen) have stopped me from going ahead,” Rathore said.
She was stopped at the barrier of the west gate and was not able to enter the Taj Mahal, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Taj Suraksha, Syed Areeb Ahmad told PTI. Reported The Print.
Kanwariyas pet stones at school bus in Fatehabad (Haryana)
This major ruck was reported from Fatehabad’s Ratia area on July 30, when angry Kanwariyas pelted stones at a school bus after a heated argument. According to The Times of India, several schoolchildren were inside the bus when the incident took place. After the stone pelting incident, bus drivers blocked a key road of the town, demanding action against the Kanwariyas. Ratia station in-charge Ranjeet Singh said that a case has been registered against two accused, Vicky and Sanju, and 30-40 unknown persons. Both Vicky and Sanju are associated with Bajrang Dal. Vicky is a convenor of Bajrang Dal (in-charge of four districts) and is currently the Dharma Prasar Zila Pramukh of Vishva Hindu Parishad. Sanju is currently city convenor of Bajrang Dal.
In Rajasthan, Kanwariyas invaded a women’s bathing ghat at night
At Lohargal Dham in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, a large group of Kanwariyas headed towards a women’s bathing ghat. Police wielded lathis to disperse Kanwariyas who were allegedly invading the bath. Jhunjhunu SP Rajarshi Raj Verma visited the spot in the afternoon and said the situation is under control with increased force in the area. He said the police would hold a talk with the temple authorities to increase barricading to stop any such incidents in the future. A case has been lodged.
In response, the enraged crowd vandalised several shops and vehicles.
Massive chaos erupted in #Rajasthan‘s #Jhunjhunu, when a large group of #Kanwariyas invaded a women’s bathing ghat at night.
The police intervened, using batons to drive some Kanwariyas away.
In response, the enraged crowd vandalized several shops and vehicles.… pic.twitter.com/tTDRse8Iip
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) July 29, 2024
Another incident of scuffle between the police and Kanwariyas has come to light in Sambhar, near Jaipur. Police tried to stop Kanwariyas who were playing loud DJ music when they were going towards Sambhar Kund. After the police seized the DJ systems, Kanwariyas then gathered near the police station. It is said that a police constable slapped one of the Kanwariyas assembled there and this made Kanwariyas angry, leading to a ruckus, reported Deccan Herald
Kanwariyas attempts to enter a Madrasa while chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’
In Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur, Kanwariyas during the Kanwar Yatra attempted to enter a Madrasa at Sikandar Gate while chanting Jai Shri Ram. Seeing the chaotic situation, the madrasas authorities shut the gate, but the group of Kanwariyas tried to force their way in by hitting it with sticks. A man, who arrived in a Fortuner car, began abusing and threatening the madrasa staff, while others joined in the attack. The Kanwariyas alleged that someone spat on them from the madrasa roof. ASP Vineet Bhatnagar stated that an investigation will be conducted, and action will be taken if the allegations are substantiated.
During the Kavad Yatra in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, Kanwariyas attempted to enter a madrasa at Sikandar Gate while chanting Jai Shri Ram slogans. The madrasa authorities shut the gate, but the group tried to force their way in by hitting it with sticks. A man, who arrived in a… pic.twitter.com/SDDYpwKU8Q
— The Observer Post (@TheObserverPost) August 1, 2024
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said through video message marking the beginning of the month of Shravana that “no festival or meditation can be complete without self-discipline”. On the Kanwar Yatra, the CM said: “Today, people from different communities are coming forward to help them, and also the government has taken many steps to ensure a safe journey for the Kanwariyas.
In UP’s Bulandshahr, a bicycle collided with a Kanwariya (Devote of Lord Shiva) at Khurja. The angry Kanwariyas then assaulted the cyclist.
In #UttarPradesh‘s #Bulandshahr, a bicycle collided with a #Kanwariya at #Khurja. The angry #Kanwariyas then beat up the cyclist. Following this, people around pelted stones at the Kanwariyas.#KanwarYatra2024 pic.twitter.com/OLFHD5nmDS
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) July 31, 2024
However, On July 22, the Supreme Court of India stayed the contentious directives issued by the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments to the owners of the eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route, asking them to display their names outside of their shop. The bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S.V.N. Bhatti took cognizance of the petitions moved before the impugned directives and passed an interim order asked the authorities to not compel all proprietors of eating establishments located along the route of the annual Kanwar Yatra to publicly display their names, addresses, and mobile numbers, along with the names of their staff reported Sabrang India
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