Lucknow: This year’s kanwar yatra is on in full swing as devotees of Lord Shiva walk barefoot, collect water from Ganga river and carry it to temples to offer to their God.
A day after a video showing a group of kanwariyas assaulting a CRPF jawan at Mirzapur railway station went viral on social media, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said some people are trying to defame the kanwar yatra on social media and urged every ‘kanwar sangh’ to expose the malcontents.
“We have to keep in mind that where there is enthusiasm and excitement, where there is faith and devotion, some elements are constantly trying to disturb that enthusiasm and to defame this devotion and faith,” PTI quoted Adityanath as saying.
Social media is flooded with videos showing apparent kanwar yatris, clad in saffron, creating ruckus on roads, ransacking hotels, damaging vehicles, and beating civilians.
The chief minister claimed “miscreants” are infiltrating kanwar groups and bringing them bad name.
“Unmask them, keep them away from you at all costs. Do not allow them to enter your circle. Immediately inform the administration about this,” Adityanath advised.
On Friday, Adityanath had said efforts were being made to defame kanwar pilgrims who are being termed “terrorists and rioters.”
A group of kanwariyas was arrested on Saturday for allegedly assaulting a CRPF jawan following an argument over train tickets at Mirzapur station.
