UP government defends Kanwar order, tells Supreme Court it was to ensure peace
New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government has opposed petitions challenging its directive requiring shop owners along the Kanwar Yatra route to prominently display their names. In a detailed submission to the Supreme Court, the state government explained that the directive aimed to ensure a peaceful and orderly pilgrimage.
The government stated that the order was in response to complaints from Kanwariyas regarding confusion caused by the names of shops and eateries. The directive aimed to address concerns about food preparation in line with religious practices.
"The yatra is an arduous journey, where some Kanwariyas , i.e. the Dak Kanwariyas, do not even stop to rest once the Kanwar is on their shoulders. There are sacred features of the pilgrimage, such as the fact that the Kanwar, once filled with holy Gangajal, is not to be kept on the ground; nor under the shadow of the gular tree. It may also be noted that a Kanwaria embarks on the Yatra after years of preparation," the government said in its statement.
The Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage where devotees of Lord Shiva fetch holy water from the Ganges River, sees millions of participants each year. The directive was introduced following specific complaints from Kanwariyas about food quality along the route.
The opposition has criticized the directive as 'anti-Muslim' and accused the government of creating divisions within society. Devotees began their Kanwar Yatra on July 22, on the first Monday of the month of ‘Sawan', and thronged temples across the nation to offer prayers.
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Karnataka Muslim Convention to be held as scheduled on May 16, say organisers
Bengaluru: Organisers of the ‘Karnataka Muslim Convention’ have clarified that the programme will be held as scheduled on Saturday, May 16, at 10.30 am at Town Hall in Bengaluru, and urged the public not to pay attention to rumours regarding any change in the event.
In a joint statement, convention coordinators Suhail Ahmed Maroor, Tanveer Ahmed and Yahya Damudi said there is no change whatsoever in the programme and that all preparations are in the final stage.
The convention is being organised by the Karnataka Rajya Muslim Sanghatanegala Okkoota.
According to the organisers, more than 45 Muslim organisations, associations and jamaats from different parts of Karnataka have extended support to the event and have assured active participation.
The organisers said the state government has withdrawn the restriction on hijab, but noted that nine other major demands of the Muslim community are still pending.
They said the convention is being held to urge the government to fulfil these constitutional demands without further delay.
