Kanwar Yatra: Calls for Impartial UP Police Action on Violations Grow

Kanwar Yatra: The Importance of Unbiased Law Enforcement

Jitender Sharma of The Probe interviews Dr. Vikram Singh, the former DGP of Uttar Pradesh, about the increasing demands for impartial police action on law violations during the Kanwar Yatra.

Jitender Sharma: Dr. Singh, you have previously managed the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh as the DGP during the Kanwar Yatra. The Kanwariyas are Shiv devotees who carry Ganga Jal and travel to different parts. But why are we seeing so many recent reports of these Kanwariyas indulging in law violations and mischief?

Dr. Vikram Singh: This is an important issue, which is why the preparations for the Kanwar Yatra begin months in advance. There is heavy police deployment, and intelligence reports are taken into account. Security measures are implemented based on this information, including watchtowers, helicopters, and drones. Now, the question arises: why are some people who go in devotion breaking the law? The reasons are varied. If they are provoked or if they feel there is an impediment along the way, such as traffic issues or diversions, we often see instances of violence and mischief. While the majority of these issues are curbed by the police, some incidents inevitably catch the spotlight. Mischief-makers also use this time to create problems.

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Jitender Sharma: We have seen many instances where impediments on the Kanwariyas' route have created issues. Why are these problems occurring in the first place, despite all the police arrangements?

Dr. Vikram Singh: As I mentioned earlier, the police prepare for months to ensure that the Yatra proceeds smoothly. CCTV cameras are installed in various locations, and security is doubled or tripled in places where issues have occurred in previous years. Despite all this, even if the police successfully curb the majority of incidents, a single major incident is often perceived as a failure of law and order.

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The Balance Between Faith and Order

Jitender Sharma: It is a significant responsibility for Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar. However, I must point out that in the past, we have seen Prashant Kumar showering flowers from a helicopter on the Kanwariyas. The issue here is that if an officer has worn the police uniform, their first duty is to prioritise law and order. This kind of devotion from the police sometimes makes the Kanwariyas feel they can do anything because they believe the police are on their side, and they will be spared.

Dr. Vikram Singh: This is a very important point. I have supervised many Kanwar Yatras, and neither have I showered flowers nor indulged in blind devotion. It doesn't matter if I'm a devotee; when I'm wearing the uniform, my priority is to ensure the Kanwar Yatra proceeds without any law and order issues. Prashant Kumar is like a son to me. When I had a conversation with him on this subject, he responded by saying that during Eid, don't we embrace members of the Muslim community? If we do that to instill confidence and faith in people that the police are with them, then what is wrong with showering flowers during the Kanwar Yatra? When he said that, I had no answer. I feel that if showering flowers enhances community harmony, then I don't see a problem with it.

Jitender Sharma: I agree that it's important to bring the community together, but don't you think there's a thin line? With the kind of violence we're seeing on the streets, it's becoming a problem for the police themselves. The Kanwariyas have even broken school buses. Don't you think this creates huge issues? Even the Chief Minister has asked the Kanwariyas to remain calm. Don't you think this is getting a bit too much? The way the police have been showering flowers on them and deploying the entire force to serve them suggests that the fear of the law is not equal for all communities.

Dr. Vikram Singh: I completely agree. The fear of the law should be equal for everyone. People who break the law must be punished. No one should be let off for breaking the law. There's devotion, but no one should cross the Lakshman Rekha. When people stop vehicles, break them, and create ruckus—no matter the provocation—those mischief-makers should be immediately dealt with and face the law. Whoever takes the law into their own hands must be punished, even if they are Kanwariyas.

Jitender Sharma: Do you think there is a need for greater public sensitisation to ensure no law and order violations during this time?

Dr. Vikram Singh: Yes, absolutely. There is a significant need for sensitisation, and awareness must be created among all people. For instance, when roads are blocked, should someone suffering from a heart attack just wait for the Yatra to end to reach the hospital? There are SOPs in place. The police engage in community policing to be aware of all emergency situations and find solutions. Dedicated control rooms exist for this reason. The problem is that all solutions should be unbiased. People should not feel the police are impartial.

Jitender Sharma: Have you observed that some criminals and troublemakers specifically come here to create issues?

Dr. Vikram Singh: During my tenure, we didn't see such violations because we used severe force on troublemakers. We had police officers disguised as Kanwariyas to ensure no trouble occurred. Once there was an issue, those troublemakers would disappear, later appearing in Meerut or Muzaffarnagar jails. That's how policing should be planned. The primary priority should be to tackle law and order situations. But if the police become part of the devotion, it will result in chaos.

The above is a condensed version of the interview transcripts. For the complete interview, please view the video above or click here for the full link.

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