Viral Video: With the beginning of Sawan, there is a sudden rise in the number of devotees visiting Lord Shiva temples with water to their respective deities. The atmosphere there is already electrified with the celebration of Kavad Yatra. Muzaffarnagar is not new to the news these days and is in the news recently for both reverence and discord. This month of strong faith and spirituality is already in the state of restive and vandalism.
Uttar Pradesh’s New Mandate
In its attempt to cater to the needs of the Kanwariyas, the Uttar Pradesh government said it is mandatory all food and drink items be sold only with the ingredients written on it. In lieu of the dietary habits of the devotees which includes avoiding certain food items like garlic and onion during this time. But some incidents of vandalism and violence by Kanwariyas have marred the sanctity of the observance.
It’s a reporting incident just came from Muzaffarnagar. The Kanwariya procession was disrupted due to a car accident with the group. So, the Kanwariyas went to attack the occupants inside the car and broke the vehicle furiously. Matter goes out of hand when the driver flees for safety to one nearby hotel. They followed him there, to continue their attack on both the driver and the hotel premises. Already, a video about the incident—from which one can pretty well judge that police forces were hardly able to intervene, as Kanwariyas were throwing kicks, punches, and even chairs has become viral. With thousands of views, released on the Bharat Samachar account, it further incited public shock.
Kanwariyas’ Violence Seen as Tarnishing Sawan’s Sanctity
Public sentiment against such acts of violence is largely negative. Many believe that such behavior tarnishes the sanctity of the religion’s observance and undermines the true spirit of Sawan. Not only has the controversy triggered countless discussions on social media, but people are also becoming concerned about the rising number of such incidents.
But the trouble has not been contained within Muzaffarnagar. In Moradabad, Kanwariyas targeted a petrol pump, accusing it of selling adulterated fuel. The police kept close watch at the petrol station at all times, but such incidents are cropping up every now and then, making a much bigger test-case scenario for the police throughout the month.
The Urgent Need for Vigilance
The frequency of such incidents has gone to the extent of even losing a noted IPS officer, Prabhakar Chaudhary, who was removed from his position following similar disturbances last year. That shows how serious it is and how much vigilance the authorities need to be on their guard against.
As the month of Sawan advances, it is felt all the more important that the devotees, along with the authorities, work toward maintaining peace and amity. The period is definitely of the central theme of ‘bhakti,’ but that ‘bhakti’ must be expressed, keeping in mind respect for others. It is an unending task before the Government and the Police Department to strike a balance between religious passion and public safety to make this month remain a period of spiritual rejuvenation and not turmoil.
