Regression of kanwariyas

THAT when the Supreme Court refers to the increasing number of grave cases of vandalism by various groups across the country, it is a sad reflection of our times that within a few days, it was constrained to specifically point out the splotches of violence by kanwariyas, a group of pilgrims, in western Uttar Pradesh and Delhi-NCR;  times when those professing and practising a certain faith are becoming emboldened to take the law into their own hands. The immediate provocations for the court taking umbrage were the callous disregard for civic sense and wanton anger displayed by kanwariyas on the road during their yatra.

Worse, the whole world has watched videos and photos going viral of the general public and commuters having to put up with road blocks and blaring DJs by massive surges of saffron-attired crowds. The law and order machinery has turned a blind eye to the mobocracy disguised as Shiv bhakts. For, no spiritually-inclined people would smash a vehicle because it brushed against them. There is nothing holy in this. The images of alcohol-and-chillum-imbibing kanwariyas are besmirching the original intent of pious and peaceful groups proceeding painfully on foot to their destination. In fact, not only is the police a silent spectator, the act of a senior cop in uniform showering rose petals on the yatris from a helicopter (costing Rs 14 lakh) sends a message of state patronage and protection.

The rap to the administration to stop violent mobs demolishing public and private property by the Supreme Court Bench headed by the Chief Justice is timely. It has rightly observed that ‘horrendous acts of mobocracy cannot be permitted to inundate the law of the land’. Underscoring that these incidents are becoming common over the years, the SC adds that the recurring pattern of violence ‘cannot be allowed to become the new normal’. Fixing responsibility on officials unable to contain vandalism in their areas would indeed help curb this menace.