Opposition accuses the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh of failing to maintain law and order after clashes involving Kanwariyas
LUCKNOW — The annual Kanwar Yatra has once again become a major political issue in Uttar Pradesh after a series of videos showing clashes, violence and confrontations involving some Kanwariyas went viral on social media.
The incidents have led to a heated debate between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP), with both sides presenting different views about the behaviour of young Kanwariyas participating in the religious pilgrimage.
While the Samajwadi Party has described those allegedly involved in violence as “goons” and accused the Yogi Adityanath government of failing to maintain law and order, BJP leaders have defended Kanwariyas as devotees of Lord Shiva and members of the younger generation.
The controversy intensified after several incidents were reported in Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring Uttarakhand during the ongoing pilgrimage season. The Kanwar Yatra, which involves devotees carrying holy Ganga water on foot, will continue until 11 August.
The latest political attack by the Samajwadi Party came after an incident in Meerut where a group of Kanwariyas allegedly clashed with police personnel and civilians following a road dispute.
SP spokesperson I P Singh targeted the state government in a post on social media platform X and demanded the resignation of the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home).
“Goons and intoxicated Kanwariyas were beating ordinary people. Today all limits were crossed when they brutally attacked policemen inside a police vehicle. Policemen were left covered in blood and their clothes were torn,” Singh said.
He questioned why such incidents were being allowed to happen and said senior officials should take responsibility if they failed to control the situation.
Speaking to ThePrint, Singh later said, “The BJP can no longer see who is actually disturbing law and order in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, they were trolling Gen-Z protesters at Jantar Mantar for abusive slogans.”
The BJP, however, rejected criticism against Kanwariyas and said isolated incidents should not be used to blame all pilgrims.
Shalabh Mani Tripathi, BJP legislator from Deoria, defended young Kanwariyas after a social media user described those involved in violent incidents as “RSS-influenced Gen Z”.
Replying to the post, Tripathi wrote, “Your madrasa-influenced Gen Z remains busy looking for opportunities to create blasts. Our Gen Z is busy in patriotism and devotion to Bam Bhole. I can understand your pain.”
The statement itself triggered further criticism, with opponents accusing BJP leaders of using religious identity and communal references while responding to criticism.
BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi adopted a more cautious position and said action should be taken only against those found responsible for breaking the law.
“Opposition parties are trying to give political colour to videos of violence and present them in the wrong manner. If law and order has been violated anywhere, police will take appropriate action. However, Kanwariyas should not be blamed wrongly because they are devotees of Lord Shiva. If anti-social elements are found involved in any incident, police will act according to the law,” he said.
Meerut Clash
The latest controversy began after a clash late on Monday night on the Delhi-Dehradun highway in Meerut following a minor road accident involving two groups of Kanwariyas.
According to police officials, one group was walking while another group was travelling on motorcycles. The clash reportedly started after a motorcycle collided with a Kanwar carrying Ganga water.
Police said Vikas Mishra, a resident of New Delhi, was returning home from Haridwar carrying Ganga water when Sonu Yadav from Gautam Buddh Nagar and his companions allegedly collided with him while travelling from the opposite direction.
A heated argument followed, and when police personnel tried to intervene, a confrontation reportedly took place.
A video allegedly recorded near the Garam Dharam Hotel under the Daurala police station area showed groups of Kanwariyas attacking each other with sticks.
It was also alleged that some people pulled individuals out of a police vehicle and took them to a nearby field, where they were attacked.
A senior Meerut police officer told ThePrint that the incident took place on the night of 3 August.
“Kanwariyas were resting in their reserved lane when a man named Sonu and his companion’s bike collided with them and the Kanwar (water vessel) broke,” the officer said.
The officer added that the argument turned into a fight.
“Sonu and his companions were being placed inside a police vehicle, but some Kanwariyas attacked Sonu again. While trying to control the situation, a constable suffered injuries to his face, shoulder and head,” the officer said.
Police confirmed that a case had been registered and Sonu’s vehicle was seized.
Other Incidents
The Meerut incident was not the only case reported during this year’s Kanwar Yatra.
On 1 August, another clash was reported in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, after an Alto car allegedly damaged a Kanwar near Golden Dhaba in the Mangalore police station area.
Police sources said the car was travelling from Haridwar towards Delhi and the driver was also a Kanwariya carrying Ganga water. After the vehicle allegedly hit another devotee’s Kanwar, an argument broke out.
Some Kanwariyas allegedly attacked the driver and damaged the car. Police later reached the spot and brought the situation under control.
Earlier, a similar dispute was reported in Lucknow near Charak Chauraha when a group of Kanwariyas travelling on motorcycles argued with the driver of a school van carrying minor girls.
According to reports, after a collision between the motorcycle and the van, angry Kanwariyas pelted stones at the vehicle. A video of the incident later circulated online, although the local police station officer denied that stone-pelting took place.
It was also alleged that the motorcycle riders called more people to the spot and that the group misbehaved with a senior constable. Some Kanwariyas and police personnel reportedly suffered injuries during the confrontation.
The growing number of incidents has turned the Kanwar Yatra into a political debate in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP says millions of devotees participate peacefully every year and that a few individuals should not represent the entire pilgrimage.
The opposition argues that the government must take stronger action against anyone involved in violence, regardless of religious identity.
With the Assembly elections approaching in 2027, the debate over law and order, religious processions and political responses is expected to remain a sensitive issue in Uttar Pradesh politics.
