A Muslim man’s chicken biryani shop near the main Kanwar Yatra route in Baheri, Uttar Pradesh, was demolished by a bulldozer on Friday evening, while its owner, Mohd Salman, was detained after Bajrang Dal workers complained about the sale of non-vegetarian food.
Police said Salman was detained as a “preventive measure” after he allegedly caused a disturbance to public order. Baheri SHO Dinesh Sharma said the action followed a complaint that Salman was selling chicken biryani.
Municipal executive officer Shashi Prabha Chaudhary said the structure demolished by civic authorities had allegedly been built illegally over a drain. She said the demolition was part of the municipality’s ongoing anti-encroachment drive.
Salman’s father, Naseem Ahmed, a resident of Lodhipur, said his son had been regularly operating the biryani shop. He added that the family had apologised after Bajrang Dal workers objected to the sale of non-vegetarian food.
Police said notices had been issued to non-vegetarian food vendors ahead of the Kanwar Yatra, directing them not to sell meat or other non-vegetarian food during the month of Sawan.
Bajrang Dal divisional president Sanu Gangwar claimed that members of the organisation received information on Thursday evening that biryani was being sold at the shop. According to him, the workers ordered biryani and had it packed to verify the complaint before approaching the police.
Meanwhile, journalist Asif Ansari reported that police in Bareilly detained three people after receiving information about a chicken-fry shop operating in a Muslim-majority area.
Restrictions imposed on eateries and shops along Kanwar Yatra routes in Uttar Pradesh have drawn criticism over their potential impact on minority-owned businesses, particularly those selling meat and other non-vegetarian food.
The action in Baheri comes as the Kanwar Yatra enters its final days ahead of Shravan Shivratri on August 11. Uttar Pradesh has introduced several measures across districts during the pilgrimage.
Several districts in western Uttar Pradesh have ordered schools, colleges and other educational institutions to remain closed due to heavy Kanwariya movement, traffic diversions and security arrangements.
The state has also organised flower showers to welcome Kanwariyas. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath showered rose petals on pilgrims in Meerut after conducting an aerial survey of the route. Helicopters also showered petals over pilgrimage routes in Baghpat, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Hapur and Bulandshahr.
Food establishments along some Kanwar Yatra routes have also been required to display owners’ names, food-safety licences and QR codes. Critics have argued that the measure could facilitate the identification and avoidance of minority-owned businesses.
Several incidents of violence have been reported during the 2026 Kanwar Yatra, including clashes among Kanwariyas, the alleged vandalism of a school van in Lucknow and attacks on vehicles. In Hapur, 24-year-old Muslim driver Azeem was allegedly assaulted and later died after remaining in a coma.
The demolition in Baheri also comes amid repeated judicial scrutiny of the use of bulldozers against structures allegedly linked to criminal offences.