On Friday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to kanwariyas to remain disciplined and embody Lord Ram’s dignity, Lord Krishna’s principles, and Lord Shiva’s simplicity, while cautioning them about anti-social elements who are allegedly trying to create unrest.
Yogi Adityanath was in Shamli district for the inauguration and foundation-laying ceremony for 89 development projects worth over ₹581 crore.
Today, the Kanwar Yatra continues without interruption, moving forward peacefully and with great enthusiasm. The government supports the kanwariyas, while the administration and security forces are attending to them, he said.
Urging the Kanwar pilgrims to remain disciplined, he said, "We are descendants of Lord Ram, hail from the land of Lord Krishna, and are devotees of Lord Shiva. We must uphold Ram’s ‘maryada’, embody Krishna’s principles, and follow Shiva’s simplicity. There should be no disorderly conduct over minor matters."
Accusing certain individuals of trying to disrupt the pilgrimage, Adityanath stated, "Some anti-social elements attempt to incite violence and damage the reputation of the Kanwar Yatra. If anyone seeks to cause trouble or disturb the environment, such people must be promptly isolated. We should not permit anyone to undermine the sanctity and dignity of this pilgrimage."
He said the state government would continue to provide every possible support to ensure the safety, convenience and smooth conduct of the Kanwar Yatra.
The Kanwar Yatra is scheduled to begin on July 30 and end on August 11. Throughout this time, devotees of Lord Shiva will gather sacred water from the Ganga in Haridwar, walk back carrying it, and pour it as an offering to Lord Shiva in temples located in Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh.
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister accused the Congress and Samajwadi Party of being admirers and followers of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, stating: "Those who were altering the demographic profile — people from the Samajwadi Party and the Congress — are devotees of Jinnah. That is why the exodus from Kandhla and Kairana occurred. In contrast, we stand with the farmers. Whenever these followers of Jinnah get an opportunity, they will divide you — along caste and regional lines. They will create disorder and jeopardise the safety of daughters and the business community."
The chief minister also alleged that before the BJP came to power in the state in 2017, people faced action for expressing their religious beliefs.
He stated that prior to 2017, people faced baton charges and even gunfire for chanting the slogan 'Jai Shri Ram'. Kanwar pilgrimages were halted, routes were obstructed, and Ramleela processions were prohibited. Adityanath asserted that circumstances had shifted, stating that the BJP-led NDA administration was now focused on serving farmers and young people.
Today, we can confidently state that the vision Chaudhary Charan Singh held for farmers and young people is being fulfilled by the BJP and the NDA government. On one side, farmers are gaining greater strength and support, while on the other, new employment and job opportunities are being generated for the youth, he said.
Emphasizing the state’s law and order situation, the chief minister stated that security measures were being extended not only to residents but also to investors, which was helping draw investment and foster development.
