Ahead of the Kanwar Yatra commencing in Haridwar, the saint community has once again raised its voice regarding faith and religious decorum. Mahamandaleshwar Swami Yatindranand Giri of the Juna Akhada wrote a letter to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, demanding an investigation into the religious background of the artisans involved in the Kanwar construction process. He stated that it should be ensured that the Kanwar construction adheres entirely to religious and cultural standards, so that the faith of the devotees is not compromised. He also recommended implementing a certification system to bring transparency and credibility to the construction process.
This is not the first time such demands have been raised. Several states, including Uttar Pradesh, have previously witnessed disputes regarding Kanwars and related materials, where questions were raised about shopkeepers or manufacturers of different faiths. Now, in Uttarakhand, this issue is once again being discussed, linked to the protection of religious purity and sentiments. However, no official response has yet been issued by the Chief Minister's office on this matter.
Sharp Warning from Saints Before Kanwar Yatra
In view of the upcoming Kanwar Yatra, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Yatindranand Giri of the Juna Akhada and Swami Yashveer Maharaj wrote a letter to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, demanding government oversight of the Kanwar construction process. The saints clarified in the letter that the Kanwar, a symbol of the devotees' faith, can only remain safe if a thorough investigation is conducted into the religious and social backgrounds of the artisans involved in its construction. They suggested taking immediate steps to implement standardization, so that the Kanwar construction remains sacred, transparent, and free of disputes.
Main Concerns of the Saints
Swami Yatindranand Giri wrote that the Kanwar Yatra is not just a religious ritual but a symbol of faith for crores of devotees. It is necessary to keep an eye on the background of the artisans involved in its construction because if the construction process disregards any religious decorum, it increases the risk of hurting the sentiments of the devotees. The saints have urged the Chief Minister to develop a standardized verification mechanism through which the process of every Kanwar construction, the background of the artisans, and the quality of the materials can be checked.
Swami Yashveer Maharaj said that the Kanwar, a symbol of devotees' faith, should be made with purity and decorum; non-religious elements should not jeopardize them.
The Root of the Dispute: Allegations of 'Spit-Jihad' and 'Cow Slaughter'
In recent times, discussions related to faith have intensified due to controversies such as spit-jihad, cow slaughter, and religious oaths across the country. Continuing this healthy debate, the saints have made Kanwar construction a debatable issue. Hindu organizations raised their voices, stating that if Muslim artisans are involved in Kanwar construction, it should be examined on the basis of religious purity and transparency, so that there is no scope for any kind of complaint or suspicion.
Some organizations said that if diversity comes into the construction process, then its certification and verification is necessary—otherwise, it can become a mockery of faith.
Government Standards and Certification System
The essence of the correspondence of the saints and the demands of the organizations is that the state government should take steps to protect the sanctity and reverence of the Kanwar Yatra:
• Construction standards should be set, which examine aspects such as size, materials, and the background of the artisans.
• A verification system should be implemented, allowing for inspection and certification at the Kanwar construction site.
• If any kind of religious or cultural impropriety is found in the construction, it should be noted immediately.
Along with this, the saints have also appealed to the community and religious organizations not to make the sensitive issue of faith in society an object of personal and political gain.
Mixed Expectations on the Response of the Administration and the Chief Minister
This issue is being portrayed as quite sensitive in Uttarakhand. The BJP government has not made any official comment on the demands of the saints at this time. No clear statement has been issued from the Chief Minister's office either, making it unclear whether the government is prepared to take governmental action in this matter.
