The Uttar Pradesh government has strongly opposed petitions challenging its directive that mandates shop owners along the Kanwar Yatra route to prominently display their shop names. In a detailed submission to the Supreme Court, the state government defended the directive, emphasizing that it was issued to ensure a peaceful and orderly pilgrimage.
Responding to complaints from Kanwariyas about confusion caused by shop and eatery names, the government stated, “The yatra is an arduous journey, where some Kanwariyas, i.e., the Dak Kanwariyas, do not even stop to rest once the Kanwar is on their shoulders.
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There are sacred features of the pilgrimage, such as the fact that the Kanwar, once filled with holy Gangajal, is not to be kept on the ground; nor under the shadow of the gular tree. It may also be noted that a Kanwaria embarks on the Yatra after years of preparation.”
The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage where millions of devotees of Lord Shiva, known as Kanwariyas, travel to fetch holy water from the Ganga River. The state government explained that the directive was introduced in response to specific complaints from Kanwariyas, who had expressed concerns about the food being served along the route and its adherence to religious practices.
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The directive has faced opposition, with critics labeling it as ‘anti-Muslim’ and accusing the government of creating divisions within society. However, the Uttar Pradesh government maintains that the measure was taken solely to address the pilgrims’ concerns and ensure the smooth conduct of the Yatra.
Devotees across the nation began their Kanwar Yatra on July 22, the first Monday of ‘Sawan’. Many thronged temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, offering prayers and taking holy dips in the Ganges to mark the occasion. Notable temples such as the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, the Kali Paltan temple in Meerut, and the Jharkhandi Mahadev Temple in Gorakhpur saw large gatherings of devotees.
As the Kanwar Yatra continues, the debate over the directive remains a contentious issue, with the Supreme Court’s decision eagerly awaited by both supporters and opponents of the measure.
