Kanwar Yatra Tension in Muzaffarnagar
Tension flared on a stretch of the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway in Muzaffarnagar ahead of the annual kanwar yatra after members of Hindu Raksha Dal allegedly vandalised signboards and burned banners at a non-vegetarian eatery. Police said three persons were arrested on Monday night, while a case has been registered against 15-20 members of the group for creating ruckus and damaging property.
Incident Details
The incident took place at a dhaba near Sisona village under Chhapar police station limits, where a non-vegetarian outlet named King Chicken Corner was operating within the same premises that also displayed boards reading Shri Badri Vishal Bhojnalaya and Shri Badri Vishal Confectionery. Members of Hindu Raksha Dal allegedly objected to the use of the religious name alongside a chicken outlet.
Property owner Naresh Kumar said he ran a confectionery under the name Shri Badri Vishal and had rented out a separate portion of the premises to Azad Chaudhary for the chicken outlet. “Members of the group removed signboards, set banners ablaze and manhandled workers, causing losses of around Rs 20,000. The chicken outlet was already scheduled to shut before the kanwar yatra as per the rental agreement,” he said. Chaudhary said he was away purchasing supplies when the incident happened, adding that he had already planned to shut the outlet soon.
Police Action
SHO Mohit Singh said a case under BNS sections related to rioting, causing damage to property, criminal intimidation, and voluntarily causing hurt has been registered against three members of the organisation. “Hemant Sharma, Abhishek Sharma and Ashish Sharma, all in their early 20s, have been arrested,” he said. “An investigation is underway in the matter, and further action will be taken accordingly,” SSP Sanjay Verma added.
Previous Incidents
Last year, UP police had issued notices to supporters of an ashram head for allegedly carrying out an unauthorised drive to verify the identity and religion of dhaba workers along the kanwar yatra route in Muzaffarnagar. The group, which runs a campaign called ‘Pehchan Abhiyan’, claimed that several food outlets on the yatra route used Hindu names despite being operated by people from other communities.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the kanwar yatra, where religious sentiments often clash with commercial activities. The police have assured strict action against those involved in the vandalism.
