Uttar Pradesh Police have booked Sajid Rashidi, president of the All India Imam Association, on a complaint by a Hindutva activist who alleged that Rashidi’s remarks questioning the rowdiness and alleged criminal conduct of people identifying themselves as Kanwariyas — and asking how such behaviour could be associated with devotees of Lord Shiva — were derogatory.
An FIR was registered in Muzaffarnagar district after Narendra Panwar, chief of the Hindutva organisation Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, alleged Rashidi’s comments were derogatory and sought action.
In an interview with IANS, Rashidi had questioned whether those who allegedly consume alcohol and intoxicants while occupying public roads could genuinely be described as devotees of Shiva, while also referring to reported incidents in which Kanwariyas were accused of assaulting police personnel and damaging a school van.
“Can those who assault police personnel in uniform be called Shiva devotees?” Rashidi asked, referring to a video widely available on social media showing Kanwariyas assaulting policemen in Meerut. He asked whether those who smash the windows of a school van and injure children could be regarded as Shiva devotees.
His remarks came amid reports of alleged violence involving Kanwariyas during the annual Kanwar Yatra. On 3 August, a group of Kanwariyas travelling on motorcycles allegedly attacked a school van in Lucknow following a minor road accident.
Police said the confrontation began after one of the motorcycles struck the rear of the van when its driver applied the brakes. The ensuing argument allegedly resulted in damage to the vehicle’s rear windscreen and side mirror.
Rashidi later clarified that his comments were not directed at all participants of the Kanwar Yatra. Police have registered the case under a provision of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita concerning acts intended to outrage religious feelings.