A shocking video on Wednesday went viral on the social media in which a group of 'Kanwarias' are seen vandalising a car upset after a driver allegedly hit one of them on a stretch of busy road near Moti Nagar metro station, even as two cops stand as mute spectators.
"The grey i10 car was being driven by a woman, who was with a male friend, when the car allegedly hit a Kanwariya on Tuesday evening . This led to an altercation between a kanwaria and the car occupants. One occupant reportedly slapped the kanwaria. Following which fellow kanwarias got upset and damaged the car.
“Police arrived in 10 minutes but by that time kanwarias had fled the spot. A First Information report (FIR) has been registered CCTV footage is being scanned. In the CCTV footage it is clearly visible that police personnel who reached the spot were trying to normalise the situation," said Vijay Kumar, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) West district.
"We have identified the owner of the car and are trying to ascertain the facts and will act accordingly. It is still not clear who was the on the steering wheel. However, the owner of the car and the duo who were in the car at the time of the incident, are not willing to come forward and lodge a formal complaint. We have registered an FIR on our own and are investigating", said Madhup Tiwari, Joint Commissioner of Police, South Western Range.
Eyewitness told police that the pilgrims were enraged after the car allegedly hit one of them.
Meanwhile, several people on internet slammed kanwarias for their action, with some even calling them "goons" and "not Shiva Bhakts". Many twitter users called the incident "shameful" one, while many pointed out the Delhi Police's inaction over the incident.
"Most heartbreaking is this video is chant of "Jai Bhola" ... the Shiv I know doesn't not support this kind to hooligans and goondagardi, why police/administration does not take action against these "goons" and please don't call them "Shiv Bhakt" or "Kanwarias"," one user tweeted.
"This happens every year in various areass of Delhi including the highways. Police are always a mute spectator as one can get away with anyting in the name of God and religion!!!! Kanvar Yatra is supposed 2 B pilgrimage of devotees of Shiva so do not understand their goondaism!," read another tweet. Another user tweeted, "What's up with police. They are not even making effort to stop this."
The inident caused a traffic snarl and forced some of the terrified commuters to take a detour. And as the kanwarias continued their onslaught, bystanders continue to watch without attempting to stop them.