Raising questions over the Haridwar car assault incident, he says religious freedom must apply equally to all citizens
NEW DELHI — All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader and spokesperson Waris Pathan has criticised the violence during the Kanwar Yatra in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar and questioned what he described as unequal treatment of religious practices in the country.
Reacting to the incident in which a car driver was allegedly assaulted and his vehicle was vandalised during the Kanwar Yatra, Pathan said that all citizens have the right to follow their faith, but the law should be applied equally to everyone.
Speaking about the Haridwar incident, Pathan said that a video showed a group of people damaging a vehicle while police personnel were standing nearby.
“The Constitution gives everyone the right to follow their religion. Your faith is with you and my faith is with me. But the question is about equal treatment under the law,” Pathan said.
Pathan compared the treatment of different religious activities and said that Muslims often face legal action when they offer prayers on roads due to a lack of space in mosques.
“If a Muslim offers namaz on the road for five minutes because there is no space inside a mosque, they are kicked, cases are registered against them, and even their passports and homes are threatened,” he said.
He questioned why similar concerns about public inconvenience and law and order are not raised equally in other situations.
“Law should be the same for everyone. If a law applies to Waris Pathan, the same law should apply to everyone, including those in power,” he said.
Speaking about the Kanwar Yatra, Pathan said that people have the right to follow their religious traditions, but authorities should also consider the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens.
“The Kanwar Yatra can take place, it is your faith and you have the right to follow it. But we have seen traffic jams in many places, schools being closed, and restrictions placed on shops selling meat and fish,” he said.
Pathan also referred to remarks made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath regarding roads not being used for namaz and asked what action would be taken regarding disruptions caused during other religious events.
“Yogi Adityanath ji had clearly said that roads are not meant for namaz. But what will be done about the disorder happening on roads during other occasions?” he questioned.
The AIMIM leader also mentioned recent student protests and alleged police action against demonstrators, saying that young people faced strict action while different treatment was seen during religious processions.
“Our Gen Z students were beaten with sticks, pellet guns were used, and in Siwan even AK-47s were brought out as if students were terrorists,” Pathan said.
He added that police action should not depend on religion or political influence.
“During Kanwar Yatra, we see police personnel showering flowers on participants. This creates a feeling that there are different rules for different people,” he said.
Pathan said equality before law is a basic principle of the Indian Constitution.
“The Constitution talks about equality. The law must be the same for everyone. This is the real meaning of democracy,” he said.
The controversy began on Saturday night during the Kanwar Yatra in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, after a dispute broke out following an incident involving a car and a Kanwar.
According to reports, a car allegedly came into contact with a Kanwar carried by a devotee, causing it to break.
Following the incident, some Kanwariyas allegedly attacked the car driver and damaged the vehicle. Videos of the incident circulated on social media, leading to criticism and political reactions.
Waris Pathan said the incident raised wider questions about equality, religious freedom and whether the law is being applied in the same manner to all citizens.
