Despite repeated calls from civil society leaders and human rights activists for authorities to curb the violent behaviour of some Kanwariyas, incidents of aggression continue to occur. The latest episode took place today in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, where a group of Kanwariyas vandalized a car and assaulted its Muslim passengers over an allegation that the car had broken their Kanwar by coming from the wrong side.
Three of the four people in the car managed to escape, but one was caught, his clothes torn, and his body badly beaten.
According to reports, the Kanwariyas were returning from Haridwar with water for the Kanwar when they claimed that the car was travelling from the wrong side and collided with their Kanwar. The collision reportedly broke the Kanwar, prompting the Kanwariyas to confront the car’s occupants.
In videos of the incident, Kanwariyas can be seen smashing the car’s mirrors and attacking the men inside as they tried to escape. However, the mob caught hold of one person, tore down his clothes, and shouted slogans.
One of the videos shows the Kanwariyas explaining their actions: “The Kanwar has been broken due to the collision. We signalled the car riders that we were carrying the Kanwar and that they were coming from the wrong side, but they ignored us. This is why this accident happened. Our Kanwar was broken.”
During the altercation, the Kanwariyas vandalized the car and raised slogans demanding the arrest of the occupants. Local magistrates and police were present at the scene, and some Kanwariyas even climbed onto the roof of the car while chanting slogans.
Police said the situation was defused after counselling the Kanwariyas, and peace and order were restored.