The Uttarakhand government has launched 'Operation Kalnemi' to crack down on fake sadhus. Several suspects, including Muslims and Bangladeshis, have been apprehended in Dehradun and Haridwar. The aim of the operation is to make the Kanwar Yatra pure and safe.
Haridwar: With the commencement of the holy month of Sawan, devotees from across the country arrive in Haridwar to participate in the Kanwar Yatra. However, in this pilgrimage filled with religious faith, some anti-social elements have begun infiltrating in the guise of sadhus and saints, playing with the sentiments of the devotees. To combat these fake sadhus and con artists, the Uttarakhand government has initiated a special operation called 'Operation Kalnemi'.
What is Operation Kalnemi?
The Uttarakhand government launched 'Operation Kalnemi' to maintain the sanctity and safety of the Kanwar Yatra during the month of Sawan. The name is inspired by the demon Kalnemi from the Ramayana, who disguises himself as a sadhu to deceive Hanuman. In a similar vein, many con artists in today's society are taking on the appearance of sadhus and participating in the Kanwar Yatra. Under the direction of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, raids were conducted at several locations in Haridwar and Dehradun as part of this operation, and action was initiated to apprehend fake sadhus.
Several Suspects Arrested
So far, under this operation, more than 50 suspects have been taken into custody in Haridwar and Dehradun. Dehradun Police arrested 25 suspects on the first day of the operation, including a Bangladeshi citizen, Rukan Rakum alias Shah Alam. A Bangladeshi identity card was recovered from him. Haridwar Police, under the leadership of SSP Ajay Singh, arrested another 25 suspects. All of them are suspected of being involved in activities such as fraud, theft, and begging in the guise of sadhus and saints. The arrested individuals include 6 Muslim youths who were wearing saffron robes.
Reactions from Sadhus, Saints, and the General Public
Mahant Ravindra Puri, the president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, praised the government's initiative, stating, “It is the responsibility of all of us to maintain the dignity of the real sadhu community. The reputation of sadhus and saints is questioned due to fake sadhus, so this operation is necessary." Furthermore, Yashveer Maharaj, associated with the Vishva Hindu Parishad, has launched a separate campaign to maintain the purity of the Kanwar Yatra. He is distributing pictures of Lord Varaha and saffron flags to shopkeepers at Har Ki Pauri to curb the fraud being perpetrated in the name of religion.
Inspection of Food and Beverages is Also Underway
Teams from the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) in Lucknow and other districts have begun intensive inspections of shops along the Kanwar route. Action is being taken to prevent the sale of adulterated food and impure water. Additionally, non-vegetarian shops in several places have been closed for a month to avoid hurting the sentiments of the Kanwar pilgrims.
Appeal from the Administration to Kanwariyas
The Haridwar police have appealed to the Kanwariyas to use the Kanwar Path instead of the main highway. This special route has been created only for Kanwar pilgrims, where भंडारे (free food stalls) and rest areas have also been set up. Additionally, the administration has instructed that no Kanwar should exceed a specified height. There is a risk of accidents from high-tension wires due to tall Kanwars, so those Kanwars will be shortened if necessary.
A Flood of Faith in Haridwar
Lakhs of devotees have arrived in Haridwar for the Kanwar Yatra, which began on Friday. Chants of 'Bam-Bam Bhole' are echoing at the Ganga ghats. A large crowd of devotees is seen during the nightly Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
