As the holy Kanwar Yatra begins across Uttar Pradesh during the auspicious month of Sawan, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has stepped up to assist in ensuring the safety and sanctity of the religious procession. Responding to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s appeal for civil society’s involvement in safeguarding the pilgrimage from disruptive elements, the VHP has decided to deploy Bajrang Dal volunteers along key routes.
According to VHP’s national spokesperson Vinod Bansal, the organisation will station volunteers along the main Kanwar Yatra paths to monitor and report the presence of any external or suspicious elements that could pose a threat to public order. These volunteers have been tasked with staying disciplined and assisting the police by alerting them to any potential disruptions.
“The Bajrang Dal will not only provide surveillance but also set up support facilities like food stalls (bhandaras), health camps, service centres, and rest points for Kanwariyas,” Bansal said. “Our aim is to support the administration and ensure the yatra remains peaceful and seamless.”
The VHP's initiative aligns with CM Yogi Adityanath’s recent remarks in which he cautioned against attempts to malign the Kanwar Yatra. The Chief Minister urged religious and social organisations to keep a watchful eye on those trying to disturb communal harmony during the pilgrimage and to promptly report such activities to the authorities.
“There is a conspiracy to defame this sacred religious journey,” the Chief Minister warned, emphasizing the need for heightened alertness and shared responsibility among local Kanwar associations and civil society groups.
VHP officials also echoed concerns that deliberate attempts are being made to disturb the atmosphere surrounding the Kanwar Yatra. The VHP cited the example of neighboring Uttarakhand, where the state police recently launched ‘Operation Kalnemi’ to identify and detain troublemakers along the yatra route. Under that operation, nearly 300 individuals were taken into custody.
The combined efforts of the VHP, local law enforcement, and civil society aim to ensure that the Kanwar Yatra continues as a peaceful and spiritually enriching journey for lakhs of devotees.
