Members of Bajrang Dal have submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the office of the city magistrate, demanding withdrawal of the strict norms imposed on the Kanwads. Notably, the police have restricted the height of the Kanwads while they have banned the use of tridents and hockey sticks for security reasons.
The annual Kanwad pilgrimage has seen in the past the Kanwadiyas carrying tridents, deemed as lord Shiva’s symbol, and also sticks as walking supports. However, when tension flares up-which happen occasionally- these become the handy instruments for the devotees of lord Shiva to beat others with. Hence, the ban on carrying them.
Bajrang Dal has already warned the state government, saying that if police misbehave with the Kanwadiyas they would stage demonstrations against the State Government across the state.
The district president of the right-wing outfit Rohit Choudhary said, “The Kanwad pilgrimage of Shravan month is the biggest pilgrimage of the country. Millions of Shiva bhakrtas from across the country come to Haridwar on this pilgrimage. The devotional songs being played on the DJs give them spiritual energy as they cover hundreds of miles.
Thus the ban on using DJs during the pilgrimage is unjust.”
He also took a dig at the state government, saying that banning trishul or trident was an insult to the Hindus. “This is considered as a sacred symbol of lord Shiva,” he added