What happens when faith clashes with lawlessness? This Kanwar Yatra season, Delhi’s streets have turned chaotic, filled with blaring boomboxes, blocked roads, scared residents, and a police force saying their “hands were tied.” Despite over 250 complaints, not a single FIR was filed during the busiest days of the Yatra, raising the question - who’s really in charge when devotion runs wild?
What happened?
The Kanwar Yatra 2025, the annual pilgrimage where Lord Shiva’s devotees gather holy water from the Ganga, ended on July 23. It left behind traffic jams, injuries, noise complaints, and public distress across Delhi and parts of Uttar Pradesh. While many took part peacefully, others broke laws, disrupted daily life, and even turned violent.
Where did it happen?
The hardest-hit areas in Delhi were South, South-East, East, and South-West districts. Residents from New Friends Colony, Maharani Bagh, Ashram, Apsara Border, GK II, Kirti Nagar, Jangpura, and Patparganj reported:
Trucks blasting loud music past midnight
Groups taking over parks and colony roads
Harassment of women, leaving residents feeling unsafe
Traffic violations and bikers riding without helmets
Violence, including vandalized cabs and assaults
In Uttar Pradesh, the roads from Delhi to Haridwar and Gangotri saw a rise in fatal accidents and poor management, with over six deaths and 20 injuries reported. States like Odisha also recorded a deadly crash involving female pilgrims.
Who was involved?
The key players were:
Kanwariyas: Many were devoted, but some ignored rules, blasted loud music, and entered private areas.
Delhi Police: Officials admitted they were told not to act harshly. One ASI said, “Our hands are tied.”
Residents: People like Shweta Arora, Pritam Pal Singh, and RWA leaders voiced serious safety concerns.
Politicians: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta praised the arrangements and eco-friendly efforts, while UP CM Yogi Adityanath blamed “miscreants” and social media for “defaming” the Yatra.
When did this escalate?
The worst days were from Friday to Wednesday, with police receiving over 250 complaints in Delhi alone. Yet, no major action was taken during those critical days.
Why did it go unchecked?
A senior Delhi Police officer revealed there was pressure from above: “We have been told not to take strict action against Kanwars.”
Though some officers said staff were on duty and action was taken, residents disagreed. One said, “We’ve tried everything. The noise is unbearable, well over 80 decibels. I respect all religions, but this is harassment.”
Even serious events like a mob attacking a cab, police misconduct at a Kanwar camp in Meerut, and fatal accidents were mostly ignored.
How are leaders responding?
Yogi Adityanath praised the spiritual spirit but admitted some “miscreants” were involved. “We will put up their photos after the Yatra and take strict action.”
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, meanwhile, praised the arrangements, announced grants to Kanwar Committees, and distributed eco-friendly supplies but did not address the public’s complaints.
The bigger picture
While the Kanwar Yatra is a deeply spiritual event, this year has sparked debate over religious freedom, government neutrality, and public safety.
As police struggle to balance faith and order, residents are left asking: When devotion roars through the streets, who will protect the peace of our homes?
(With inputs from News18, PTI, ANI)
