Kanwar Yatra canceled in Uttar Pradesh

Story by IANS | Posted by shaista fatima | Date 18-07-2021

Kanwar Yatra (file photo)

Lucknow

The Uttar Pradesh government has also decided to cancel the Kanwar Yatra.

The UP government, after communicating with the Kanwar unions, has decided that this year also there will be no Kanwar Yatra due to the corona epidemic.

Let us inform that the Chief Minister had instructed Additional Chief Secretary Home Avnish Awasthi and Director General of Police Mukul Goyal to hold talks with other states in view of the Kanwar Yatra.

Last year, the Kanwar Sanghas had themselves suspended the yatra after talks with the government.

This time also the government has taken this decision with the consent of the unions.

However, the UP government wanted that this time the Kanwar Yatra should not be banned. Rather, the journey should be taken out under the Covid protocol. But the Uttarakhand government has banned the entry of Kanwariyas coming from outside in the state.

At the same time, the UP government had given permission for the Kanwar Yatra, on which the Supreme Court, taking suo motu cognizance, issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and asked it to file a reply regarding the Kanwar Yatra by July 19.

The court had said that one thing is completely clear that in view of Covid, we cannot allow the Uttar Pradesh government to organize the Kanwar Yatra with 100 percent attendance of people. We are all citizens of India.

This suo motu case has been taken because Article 21 is applicable to all of us. This is for the safety of all of us.

On the other hand, due to the fear of third wave of corona virus infection, All India Akhara Parishad has appealed to the Kanwar unions not to take them on the Kanwar Yatra this time.

Council President Mahant Narendra Giri and General Minister Harigiri said that the Kanwariyas should organize this event in a symbolic way.

He can perform Jalabhishek in pagodas around the house. In view of the possibility of third wave coming, it is okay to postpone the Kanwar Yatra. My request to Shiva devotees is that you should anoint Gangajal in the pagodas of your village or anoint Gangajal by establishing Shivling in your homes.