Recent events involving Kanwariyas during the annual Kanwar Yatra have led to several violent incidents in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Attacks and vandalism by the devotees in Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Haridwar, and Saharanpur have raised serious concerns about public safety. Despite police interven
Recent events involving Kanwariyas, the devotees participating in the annual KanwarYatra, have led to several violent incidents across different locations in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand including Muzaffarnagar, Haridwar, and Saharanpur. These incidents, ranging from assaults on individuals to vandalism of property, have raised concerns about the safety of commuters and the general public on the Kanwar route. Police intervention has not been very helpful, since they are not taken very seriously by kanwariyas, leading to chaos and fear among the affected communities. This article details these incidents, providing a comprehensive overview of the violent outbreaks and their aftermath:
Meerut, Friday 26 july
• A mob of kanwariyas attacked four men from a minority community, when they accidentally brushed a devotee.
• The incident occurred on the Delhi-Dehradun highway in Meerut on Friday.
• By the time police arrived at the spot, kanwariyas had already vandalised the car.
• Four men were locked in th car being thrashed, out of which 3 managed to escape but one was beaten by the mob.
• Police have not disclosed the victims’ names, stating that neither party has sought legal action.
Muzaffarnagar, Wednesday 24 july
• This incident took place at a Petrol Pump in Mansoorpur area Muzaffarnagar.
• A group of 50 Kanwariyas attacked petrol pump staff, Manoj Saini, after he objected to them throwing leftover mango seeds on the premises.
• Saini ran towards a cabin to save himself, but the Kanwariyas chased him.
• The altercation escalated into an assault, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Ramashish Yadav.
Haridwar, Wednesday 24 july
• on Wednesday, Manglaur, Haridwar, in the Libberhedi area under Mangalore Kotwali jurisdiction, A group of Kanwariyas vandalized an e-rickshaw and assaulted its driver after the vehicle accidentally collided with one of the pilgrims.
• The incident was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media.
• Driver Sanjay kumar reported to Haridwar SSP Paramendra Singh Dobhal that his vehicle accidentally hit a Kanwariya.
• Sanjay emphasized that the pilgrim was not injured, nor was their sacred kanwar damaged.
• Police attempted to intervene and stop the attack. The Kanwariyas ignored the police warnings and continued their destructive actions.
Muzaffarnagar, Wednesday 24 july
• A mentally-challenged man was assaulted by Kanwariyas at the Kanwar camp at Meenakshi Chowk under Civil Lines Police Station.
• The man waved a stick towards a Kanwariya.
• Kanwariyas responded by beating him and chasing him when he tried to escape.
• Police intervened, provided first aid, and kept the man under observation. Satyanarayan Prajapati, the superintendent of police, confirmed the situation is under control. Legal action will be taken after an application is received, he said.
Saharanpur, Tuesday 23 july
• This incident took place on Tuesday night, from Gagalheri trijunction towards NaugajaPeer area, Saharanpur.
• Aman Kumar was returning home on a motorcycle after picking up Monu, his brother in law from his workplace at a multi-national soft-drink factory. On the way Kumar’s motorcycle slightly brushed against a Kanwariya walking on the road.
• The Kanwariya accused Kumar of desecrating his kanwar.
• Shopkeeper Aman Kumar and his brother-in-law Monu were brutally assaulted by a violent group of Kanwariyas.
• Kumar pleaded with the Kanwariyas, apologized, and explained it was unintentional, but they did not listen.
• He managed to escape, but the Kanwariyas damaged his motorcycle.
• Videos on social media showed agitated Kanwariyas violently hitting the motorcycle with sticks and other objects.
• Policemen were seen as bystanders during the attack.
Meerut-Haridwar Highway, Sunday 21 july
• On July 21, violent scenes at Shri Laxmi Food Plaza on the road to Haridwar were caught on camera.
• A group of 10 to 15 Kanwariyas vandalized a car and thrashed its owner, despite the presence of policemen.
• The incident was recorded on video, showing Kanwariyas violently tearing the car apart and jumping on it to cause damage.
• The car’s driver, Aquib, ran inside the restaurant to escape the enraged Kanwariyas..
• When senior police officers arrived, the Kanwariyas claimed that Aquib’s car had damaged (khandit) the kawad of one of their associates about 2 kilometers from the restaurant towards Haridwar.
• Aquib told the independent news media portal Journo Mirror on July 23 that the allegations of his vehicle brushing against the Kanwariyas or blowing the horn at them were false.
• An injured Aquib explained in a video that he was going to Meerut to drop off his brother-in-law when his car was vandalized by the Kanwariyas.
• In the FIR lodged, Sub-Inspector Ashutosh Kumar Singh noted that the Kanwariyas did not provide any answers when asked about the damaged kawad.
• A spot inspection on the Haridwar side of the kawad route revealed no damage to any devotee’s kawad, as stated by Singh in the FIR lodged early on July 21 at Chhapar police station.
• Circle Officer Sadar Raju Kumar Sab informed the media that there was no confirmation of any kawad being damaged.
• FIR filed against 10-15 unknown Kanwariyas for intentional assault and causing a public nuisance.
• The incident led to a traffic jam and panic among commuters, including those in an ambulance.
Uttarakhand, Saturday, 19 july
• A parking lot employee was attacked in Janaki Pul parking lot near the Neelkanthtemple, Uttarakhand.
• Four kanwariyas from Haryana, Mahant Saurabh Giri Naga Baba (40), Divya alias Deepu (19), Rajat (19), Arun (18) were accused.
• The kanwariyas parked their tractor-trolley at Janaki Pul parking lot.
• After visiting the Neelkant temple, they returned to the parking lot.
• An argument ensued when parking lot employees, Balam Singh Bisht, Ajay, and Subhash asked for the parking fee.
• The kanwariyas attacked Balam Singh Bisht with swords, causing a serious head injury.
• Complaint Filed By parking lot contractor Rahul Gupta
• Mahant Saurabh Giri Naga Baba, Divya alias Deepu, Rajat, Arun were arrested.
