Dubai: Accidents happen.
But for a woman driver and her male friend in Delhi, accidentally brushing past a Kanwaria (devotee of the Hindu deity Shiva), led to rapidly escalating violence, and saw her car battered with hockey sticks and being tipped over. The police, who were on the scene, were unable to do anything about it.
The whole incident was caught on camera, with the video going viral, once Twitterati caught wind of the incident.
A group of furious, saffron-robed pilgrims are clearly visible in the video clip. According to a report by The Times of India, the Kanwarias are currently in the middle of an annual pilgrimage, which sees them carrying large pots of Gangajal (Ganges water) to temples.
#WATCH: A group of 'kanwariyas' vandalise a car in Delhi's Moti Nagar after it brushed past them while driving. The people in the car got off safely. No injuries were reported. Police says no formal complaint has been filed by the victims (07.08.2018) pic.twitter.com/rKc6VJMZnh
— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2018
When the 25-year-old woman’s car brushed past one of the pilgrims, some of the water spilled onto the road, causing tempers to flare. The group got into an argument with the driver and her friend.
But Twitter users said that’s no excuse to vandalise private property.
Rajinder Sharma @rpsharma1510 tweeted: “Whatever be the reason, these goons cannot hold the traffic at ransom. Do your prayers without causing inconvenience to others, being a Kanwaria is not a license for hooliganism.”
Whatever be the reason, these goons cannot hold the traffic at ransom. Do your prayers without causing inconvenience to others, being a Kanwaria is not a license for hooliganism.
— Rajinder Sharma (@rpsharma1510) August 8, 2018
The incident brought traffic to a halt in the Moti Nagar area, and passersby watched the violence unfold even after two police officers reached the spot. By the time more officers arrived, the group of pilgrims had fled.
No casualties were reported, according to Indian media and the police is yet to file a first instance report (FIR) as no one approached the authorities to register a complaint.
With the Kanwar Yatra (pilgrimage) currently underway, tweeps say an atmosphere of lawlessness prevails in several cities, with officials turning a blind eye to traffic violations.
@CounterIntuitve complained to the Delhi Police’s official Twitter account: “It’s an absolute #Kanwaria mania on Delhi roads. They drive with 3-4 pillion, none wearing a helmet and driving like maniacs with speeds over 90km/h and @DelhiPolice just looks on. Where is the rule of law @CPDelhi? This is not about religion but about other road users’ safety too.”
Sarthak Lohia @sarthaklohia wrote: “Ready to protect the Kanwaria? But who will protect the citizens from these Kanwarias?”
SERVING IN KANWARIA PILGRIMS IN R/O 103 BN RAF, DELHI pic.twitter.com/nv1p6nhcII
— 103 BN RAF (@103Raf) August 7, 2018
The Kanwar Yatra was also in the news recently, when a self-proclaimed Indian spiritual leader, Golden Baba, wore 20kg of gold on the pilgrimage.
But while #GoldenBaba was trending last week, because tweeps were discussing his questionable wealth, the latest incident caused some people to raise concerns that mob violence has become a norm in an India, where the Prime Minister is often silent and refuses to acknowledge such issues.
@BhaktTak tweeted the viral video of Kanwarias attacking the car and shared his scathing criticism: “Ram Rajya under Modi Raj [Hindu rule under Narendra Modi’s rule]! Tourists should visit to see mob lynchings in New India. #IncredibleIndia #NewIndia”
Other tweeps were saddened by the violence, especially during a time that is supposed to be peaceful and positive.
Saurabh Kumar @saurabhlimits tweeted in Hindi: “They cannot be true Kanwarias. How can you act like thugs while in the middle of devotion? The police should apprehend all of them. If left like this, anyone can get angry for trivial reasons and hurt people.”
Who are Kanwarias and what is the Kanwar Yatra?
During Shravan, the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, Kanwarias or devotees of the Hindu deity Shiva, wear saffron robes and embark on an annual pilgrimage called the Kanwar Yatra. They travel from their homes to pilgrimage sites in Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar.
Their aim is to fetch water from the Ganges River, and then proceed to the temples of Shiva to offer the holy water. While most travel on foot, a few also travel on bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, mini-trucks or jeeps. The Yatra is currently ongoing in India and ends on August 9, the day of Shravan Shivratri, which is considered the best day to offer the Gangajal (Ganges water) to Shiva.
