Viral Video: The holy month of Sawan, marked with reverent pilgrimages and worship, has played host to a surge in social media activity circling around incidents of Kawadias. This time, a new controversy erupted involving the Mall of Ranchi, and the video went viral on the internet.
Kawadias Denied Entry
The video, shared by user Ritesh Kashyap, shows a group of Kawadias—Lord Shiva’s devotees who carry out pilgrimages in attire of saffron and perform Jalabhishek—being stopped from entering the Mall of Ranchi. According to the video, the Kawadias—on an outing after visiting the Vaidyanath Dham Temple in Deoghar—were barred entry because they were not wearing slippers, which was a breach of the mall protocol.
The video has received much online attention. Many people are sharing their anger over what was perceived to be disrespect toward the Kawadias, who were reportedly mishandled for their religious significance and dedication. This raises a debate about religious tolerance and putting a sensor on sensitivity toward devotional practices.
Mall of Ranchi Faces Backlash
A recently inaugurated Mall of Ranchi on 13 August 2023, in the presence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and filmmaker Prakash Jha, is receiving much criticism after the viral video. Many users questioned the mall management’s decision and its adherence to cultural and religious respect.
Although there has been a crescendo of backlash, management has maintained its silence. Its lack of response has fueled the controversy further with social media demanding an official statement and resolution.
Lack of Awareness
The incident once more pushed to the front burner the challenge of reconciling modern commercial protocols with traditional practices, and she had absolutely no clue about any wider debate going on about respect and inclusion in public spaces. Moving forward, depending on how the mall chooses to respond or not respond, public perception and future interactions between commercial entities and religious communities will most likely take their cue from there.
