The Uttar Pradesh government is facing legal challenges to its directive requiring shop owners along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their names prominently. However, the government has firmly defended the order in the Supreme Court, arguing it promotes a peaceful and orderly pilgrimage.
According to the government, the directive addresses complaints raised by Kanwariyas regarding unclear shop names, which caused confusion during the arduous journey. The statement highlighted the specific religious customs followed by Kanwariyas, including not placing the holy “Kanwar” on the ground or under a Gular tree.
The annual Kanwar Yatra attracts millions of devotees of Lord Shiva who travel to collect holy water from the Ganges River. The government claims the directive was implemented based on concerns from Kanwariyas about the food served along the route, particularly regarding its adherence to religious practices.
Critics, however, have labeled the directive “anti-Muslim” and accuse the government of attempting to create societal divisions.
The Kanwar Yatra commenced on July 22nd, coinciding with the first Monday of “Sawan.” Devotees across India thronged Shiva temples for prayers and holy dips in the Ganges to mark the occasion. Sites like Mahakaleshwar Temple (Ujjain), Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi), Kali Paltan Temple (Meerut), and Jharkhandi Mahadev Temple (Gorakhpur) witnessed large crowds of devotees.
