UP govt defends its order on Kanwar Yatra, tells Supreme Court it was "to maintain peace"
The Uttar Pradesh government has strongly opposed the petitions challenging the directive requiring shop owners to prominently display their names on the Kanwar Yatra route.
In a detailed submission to the Supreme Court, the state government said the directive was issued to ensure a peaceful and orderly pilgrimage.
The state government further explained that the directive was issued in response to complaints received from Kanwariyas about confusion due to the names of shops and eateries.
In its statement, the government said, "This yatra is an arduous one, where some kanwariyas, i.e. dak kanwariyas, do not even stop to rest after carrying the kanwar on their shoulders. The pilgrimage has certain sacred features, such as the kanwar filled with holy Gangajal should not be placed on the ground; neither should it be kept under the shade of a fig tree. It is also worth noting that a kanwariya embarks on the yatra after years of preparation." The Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage in which devotees of Lord Shiva, known as kanwariyas, travel to fetch holy water from the river Ganga, is attended by lakhs of people every year.
The Uttar Pradesh government claimed that the directive was introduced in response to specific complaints from kanwariyas. Pilgrims had reportedly raised concerns about the food served along the route, leading to apprehensions about its preparation being in line with religious practices.
The opposition hit out at the government, calling the directive 'anti-Muslim' and aimed at creating divisions within the society.
Devotees across the country began their Kanwar Yatra on July 22 on the occasion of the first Monday of 'Sawan'. Many devotees offered prayers at temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and also took a holy dip in the Ganga on the first Monday of 'Sawan'.
Devotees thronged several temples including Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Kali Paltan Temple in Meerut, and Jharkhandi Mahadev Temple in Gorakhpur to offer their prayers.
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