Lucknow, June 28: The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to restrict the open selling of meat along the Kanwar Yatra routes, which will begin on July 4.
According to an official statement, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave the directives while chairing a review meeting with top officials, including police commissioners, divisional commissioners, district judges, and superintendents of police, ahead of the impending festival season.
According to CM Yogi, the month of Shravan is two months long this year owing to “Adhimas” (extra month). During this time, he noted, the festivals of Shravani Shivratri, Nagpanchami, and Rakshabandhan would be observed. “The traditional Kanwar Yatra will begin on July 4 in the holy month of Shravan.
Prior to this, Bakri Eid will be observed on June 29. It is obvious that this is a critical period in terms of law and order. As a result, we must remain vigilant and cautious at all times,” he explained.
“In order to respect devotees’ beliefs, meat should not be sold in the open on the Kanwar route. The path should be kept clean and sanitary. There should be streetlights installed. Because the weather is hot, plans for drinking water should be made,” the CM stated.
According to the statement, Adityanath directed that CCTV cameras be installed along the Yatra route, as well as divers are deployed. He directed that the locations for Kanwar camps be identified ahead of time so that traffic is not blocked.
The CM further instructed that the sound of the DJ and music played during the Kanwar procession meet the required criteria. “Give consent to the event organiser.
However, ensure that everyone follows the rules and regulations,” he urged, adding that guns should not be shown in religious processions.
“Some mischievous elements may try to provoke people from other communities unnecessarily; keep an eye on such matters.” Additional police officers should be stationed in high-risk locations. Every day in the evening, the police must conduct foot patrols. “PRV 112 should remain active, and anarchic elements should be dealt with strongly,” he warned.
During the meeting, the chief minister also stated that traffic was not disrupted owing to religious activities during Ramzan.
“This effort has been recognised across the country. This time, we’ll have to use the same technique for Bakri Eid and Muharram. Local administration should engage in conversation with relevant religious leaders/intellectuals in this regard,” he stated.
He stated that the location for the sacrifice on Bakri Eid should be indicated ahead of time.
“Sacrifice should not be performed anywhere other than the previously designated location. Make certain that no banned animal is sacrificed anywhere. Every district should have an action plan for the systematic disposal of waste after sacrifice,” he stated. Last Shravan, about one crore Lord Shiva worshippers offered prayers at Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath shrine, and nearly six lakh people visited the shrine every Monday during the holy month.
Adityanath stated that because of “Adhimas” this year, an increase in the number of devotees arriving in the state from across the country is probable. In addition to Varanasi, the municipal administrations in Ayodhya and Sitapur should develop a systematic response plan in collaboration with the temple management, according to the statement.
The CM also asked officials to investigate the issue of religious conversion of minors using gaming/chatting applications. “Incidents of illegal religious conversions have recently come to light in many parts of the country. We are aware of an incidence in Ghaziabad involving the conversion of adolescent minors using online gaming/chatting applications. It is critical to control such anti-social and anti-national incidents as soon as possible,” Adityanath stated.
He went on to say that the unlawful religious conversion is carried out by an international network. “This syndicate keeps an eye out for disabled children and young people looking for work. There are also financial temptations. This entire enterprise of illegitimate religious conversions must be destroyed. Any such activity should be dealt with as soon as possible,” he urged.
Adityanath instructed that senior officers stationed at police stations, circles, districts, ranges, zones, and divisions engage with religious leaders and other prominent members of society in their respective areas. “Send out a positive message to the people. Hold a peace committee meeting. Let the media work together to create an atmosphere of peace and harmony,” he urged.
