Curbs On Kanwariyas: Uttar Pradesh Govt Bans Bats, Sticks On Kanwar Yatra Route Amid Rising Violence

The Uttar Pradesh authorities’ decision to ban the carrying of baseball bats and hockey sticks along the route of the Kanwar Yatra has been prompted by the increasing incidents of violence ostensibly indulged in by the pilgrims. The case of a CRPF jawan being brutally punched and beaten by a bunch of Kanwariyas at Mirzapur after a spat over train tickets triggered outrage, as the video of the incident went viral. In the last few years, there have been several instances of the Kanwariyas vandalising shops and attacking bystanders over minor issues.

A slice of onion found on a plate at a roadside eatery was enough provocation for the Kanwariyas to go on the rampage. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has warned ‘miscreants’ attempting to disrupt the yatra and said those found guilty of vandalism would face legal consequences. He said all routes have CCTV surveillance, and after the yatra, the guilty will be named and shamed.

The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage in the month of Shravan carried out by Shiva devotees who fetch holy water from the Ganga and transport it to Shiva temples in their towns or villages. Typically, they balance two pots of the holy water on a bamboo pole known as Kanwar. The pots are not supposed to touch the ground. The Kanwariyas, usually dressed in saffron, traditionally undertook the pilgrimage barefoot, but now they have taken to travelling on cycles, motorcycles and even cars.

They are expected to follow a strict regimen, sans non-vegetarian food, onions, garlic and liquor. However, instances of Kanwariyas going on drunken sprees have also come to light. They play loud music at night to stay awake, but in the process, local residents, especially senior citizens and children, are traumatised. The UP administration has also banned the Kanwariyas from travelling on motorcycles with their silencers removed in a bid to curb noise pollution.

Till two decades ago, this annual pilgrimage was a quiet affair, and people were rarely inconvenienced. However, of late the yatra has assumed epic proportions and appears to be another attempt to assert Hindu identity. In 2024, the UP government issued a directive to eateries along the yatra route to display the names of the owners. This was objected to by the Opposition, citing discrimination on the basis of religion. The Supreme Court, too, weighed in, saying nobody can be forced to display names. The BJP governments in UP, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Delhi make special arrangements for the Kanwariyas. The Shiva devotees are showered with rose petals from helicopters.

Every year, the yatra grows in numbers and strength, causing problems in maintaining law and order. The resultant traffic chaos has led to many incidents of road rage and fatalities. The Kanwariyas wear their religion on their sleeve literally and instill fear in the minds of the minorities along the yatra route with their loud assertions of religious identity. Every Indian has the right to practise and profess a religion of his or her choosing, but when faith impedes the lives of others, the authorities must take matters in their hands and crack down on hooliganism.

Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 12:36 PM IST