Lucknow: In a shocking incident, a group of Kanwariyas (Lord Shiva devotees) launched a brutal assault on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan at Mirzapur railway station in Uttar Pradesh.
The attack, which was captured on CCTV, shows saffron-clad Kanwariyas cornering the helpless jawan who was at the station to board the Brahmaputra Mail.
An argument over train tickets led to an altercation, according to police.
Attacked by the devotees, the jawan tried to retaliate but is quickly surrounded. The kanwariyas dragged the jawan, landed punches, pushed him to the floor and kicked him mercilessly as others looked on.
कांवड़ियों का मतलब, कोई कानून नहीं, कोई संविधान नहीं। इनके आगे जो बोला, बस उसे पीट दो। इन दुष्टों ने #मिर्जापुर रेलवे स्टेशन पर #CRPF जवान को लात-घूंसों से बुरी तरह पीटा। जब आतंकी, नक्सली या उपद्रवी आते हैं तो राम राम जपते हैं कि हे भगवान CRPF भेज दे। अब इन्हें शर्म तक नहीं आती। pic.twitter.com/JCCyM8p8Q5
— Jitender Bhardwaj (@journo_jitendra) July 19, 2025
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) reached the spot and filed a case against the Kanwariyas. Following an investigation, seven Kanwariyas were arrested, RPF in-charge inspector Chaman Singh Tomar said.
“Around 9.30 am today, a CRPF jawan was waiting to board the Brahmaputra Mail when he had an argument with some men in red clothes. We have taken seven people into custody and further investigation is on,” Tomar said.
In this annual pilgrimage journey, Lord Shiva’s devotees walk barefoot, collect holy water from Ganga river in pitchers (kanwars) and carry them to temples to offer it to the Lord.
This year’s Yatra began on July 11, and will end on July 23, coinciding with the Hindu month of Shravan (Sawan).