Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused the Samajwadi Party of previously disallowing the Kanwar Yatra. He asserted that his government ensured security for the pilgrimage, highlighting the participation of three crore devotees in recent days.
Organisers of proposed ‘shankhnaad’ and ‘karseva’ programmes at Mathura’s Krishna Janmabhoomi site cancelled the events on Sunday, citing Kanwar Yatra participation. Police had issued notices and restricted gatherings, citing court directions and prohibiting new religious traditions at the disputed site
The Varanasi Municipal Corporation will play Shiv stotra through public address systems at 55 intersections every morning during Shravan. The civic body also ordered flood preparedness, plastic-free temple areas, and enhanced facilities for Kanwar pilgrims visiting the holy city
The Varanasi Municipal Corporation collected Rs 49,000 in fines from meat sellers violating the Shravan closure order. Civic authorities said inspections will continue to enforce restrictions imposed in view of Kanwar Yatra movement and devotees' religious sentiments
Educational institutions in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut and Ghaziabad will remain closed till August 12 due to heavy Kanwar Yatra movement. Authorities cited student safety and traffic management, while exempting examinations already scheduled by schools, colleges and universities
A 21-year-old Muslim youth from Meerut joined the Kanwar Yatra with his Hindu friend, carrying a 251-litre Kanwar from Haridwar. The duo said their pilgrimage promotes social harmony, friendship beyond religious differences, and the message that humanity unites people
A man was arrested in Muzaffarnagar for allegedly spitting on a woman pilgrim's kanwar during the Kanwar Yatra. Police defused tensions at the scene, arranged a replacement kanwar, and are investigating the incident while ensuring peace in the area.
While the move has been welcomed by many as a necessary step to safeguard public health, it has also triggered political criticism, with opposition leaders calling the penalty excessively harsh, particularly for small-time street vendors.
