What Is Operation Kaalnemi And Why Uttarakhand Is Cracking Down On Sadhus? DNA Explains
Watch Full DNA Episode Here:
दिल्ली की बारिश पर 'नेताओं की रिपोर्टिंग'! बिहार में वोटर लिस्ट पर कोर्ट के फैसले का विश्लेषण क्या ट्रंप पर ड्रोन अटैक कराएगा खलीफा?
देखिए #DNA LIVE Rahul Sinha के साथ#ZeeLive #ZeeNews #DNAWithRahulSinha @RahulSinhaTV https://t.co/D3JSAg1MPY — Zee News (@ZeeNews) July 10, 2025
Over the years, there have been multiple instances in Uttarakhand where individuals dressed as sadhus have cheated or misled devotees, often targeting women by offering false promises of spiritual fulfilment or miraculous blessings. In several cases, locals have caught such imposters, who turned out to be thieves or con artists rather than spiritual seekers.
The name 'Operation Kaalnemi' is rooted in Hindu mythology, particularly the Ramayana. Kaalnemi was a demon sent by Ravana to mislead Lord Hanuman while he was on his way to fetch the life-saving Sanjeevani herb. Using his magical powers, Kaalnemi tried to trick Hanuman by disguising himself as a sage, but Hanuman saw through the deception and ultimately killed him.
Drawing from this symbolism, the operation aims to "end the deception of modern-day Kaalnemis", just as Hanuman did in the epic. The use of this name underscores the intent: to protect the spiritual integrity of the pilgrimage and uphold the honour of the sadhu tradition by rooting out imposters.
What CM Dhami Said?
In a post on X, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said pseudo-disguised individuals will not be spared in the state. "In Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, strict instructions have been given to officials to launch Operation Kalanemi against pseudo-disguised individuals who deceive people and toy with their sentiments under the guise of Sanatan Dharma," he said.
Dhami further said that several cases have come to light in the state where anti-social elements, disguised as sadhus and saints, have been engaging in deceiving people, especially women. "This not only hurts people's religious sentiments but also damages the image of social harmony and the Sanatan tradition. In such cases, if any person of any religion is found committing such acts, strict action will be ensured against them," said the CM.
He further added, "Just as the demon Kalanemi disguised himself as a sadhu to deceive others, today many 'Kalanemis' are active in society, committing crimes under the garb of religious attire. Our government is fully committed to protecting public sentiments, preserving the dignity of Sanatan culture, and maintaining social harmony. Those who spread hypocrisy in the name of faith will not be spared under any circumstances."
Strong Support From Sant Community
The initiative has received widespread support from the Hindu ascetic community, which believes that such a step is necessary to protect the dignity of genuine saints and spiritual leaders. "Sadhus are a symbol of Sanatan Dharma. Those who misuse this identity for crime and fraud deserve to be punished," one senior sadhu remarked.
With millions of devotees expected to participate in the Kanwar Yatra this year, Operation Kaalnemi is seen as a proactive step toward ensuring both spiritual purity and public safety.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Thailand, Cambodia to hold peace talks in Malaysia today amid escalating border tensions
Leaders from Thailand and Cambodia are set to meet in Malaysia on Monday in an effort to defuse the deadly border conflict , even as both countries continue to accuse each other of renewed artillery strikes in contested territories, Al Jazeera reported. According to Al Jazeera, citing Malaysian authorities, Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will head Bangkok's delegation for the negotiations, with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expected to participate in the meeting. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Technology Finance healthcare MCA Management Public Policy Data Science MBA Cybersecurity Project Management PGDM Artificial Intelligence Data Analytics Healthcare Digital Marketing Design Thinking Degree Product Management Data Science Others Operations Management others Leadership CXO Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Weeks MIT xPRO CERT-MIT XPRO Building AI Prod India Starts on undefined Get Details Malaysia, currently chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN ), has offered to mediate the crisis, which has claimed over 30 lives in recent days, including civilians from both countries. The situation worsened after both sides exchanged artillery fire along disputed sections of their 817 km shared border, Al Jazeera reported. Last week, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim proposed a ceasefire and urged both nations to resolve their issues diplomatically. Despite initial signs of progress following US President Donald Trump's calls to both leaders urging a ceasefire, hostilities resumed just hours later. Live Events Cambodia confirmed its support for Trump's appeal, while Thailand stated that peace talks could not proceed as long as Cambodian forces were allegedly targeting Thai civilians, a claim Phnom Penh rejected. Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence accused Thailand of launching artillery and ground attacks near several border locations, including historic temple sites, as reported by Al Jazeera. A ministry spokesperson reported damage to ancient temple complexes due to shelling. The Thai military countered by alleging that Cambodian troops had fired into residential areas and were preparing long-range rocket launchers for further attacks. The long-standing border dispute primarily revolves around sovereignty claims over historic sites, particularly the ancient Hindu temples of Ta Moan Thom and Preah Vihear, as per Al Jazeera. Although the International Court of Justice in 1962 ruled that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia, tensions flared again in 2008 when Cambodia sought UNESCO World Heritage status for the temple, leading to years of sporadic clashes. With tensions still high, Monday's talks in Kuala Lumpur are seen as a crucial step toward preventing further escalation.
Scroll.in
40 minutes ago
- Scroll.in
The Kanwar Yatra must return to its roots as journey of discipline
On July 8, some participants in the Kanwar Yatra vandalised an eatery in Uttar Pradesh's Muzzafarnagar as they found onions in their meals – a vegetable that is taboo during the annual pilgrimage to Haridwar to carry back water from the Ganga. Shortly after, a woman travelling on the Haridwar-Rishikul Highway was dragged by her hair and beaten with slippers because her scooter accidentally grazed a pot that contained holy water. These were only two of several instances of violence by kanwariyas reported during this year's edition of the pilgrimage, which started on July 11 and ended on July 23. The exercise by devotees of the Hindu god Shiva is not supposed to be only a physical journey – it is intended to instill spiritual discipline too. The pilgrims are expected to abstain from alcohol and avoid arguments or violence. However, as these incidents show, the Kanwar Yatra in recent years has increasingly become a theatre of aggression. Pilgrims, clad in saffron, once walked in solemn devotion. But today, some wield hockey sticks and trishuls. They are often accompanied by trucks studded with loudspeakers that announce their presence in a manner that some would find alarming, if not threatening. 🎥 #WATCH | 🔊 Decibel levels have shot up in the capital over the past few days as a steady stream of kanwariyas with boomboxes 📢 make their way through the city for their annual pilgrimage 🙏🛕 🚨 Despite the noise levels exceeding permissible limits, the Delhi Police 👮♂️ and… — Hindustan Times (@htTweets) July 23, 2025 Several people travelling or operating businesses on the Kanwar Yatra routes faced assaults by kanwariyas after petty disputes or inconveniences. The state's role is both silence and encouragement. This includes exempting participants from traffic laws, providing them with police escorts and showering petals on them. Though many officials view Muslims praying in public spaces as a nuisance, they have no hesitation lending a helping hand to kanwariyas. This has created a culture of impunity that is so strong, even uniformed personnel were not spared. In Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur on July 19, a Central Reserve Police Force jawan was attacked by kanwariyas after a ticketing dispute. Though the assailants were arrested by the Railway Protection Force, they were released within an hour. If the law enforcement officials can be targeted so brazenly, it suggests not just loss of control but a deeper cultural shift – the belief that faith grants immunity and that public infrastructure will bend to the might of politicised faith. After all this, when the state responded, it did so in a manner that was predictably performative. Uttar Pradesh authorities eventually banned trishuls and hockey sticks on the route and issued belated warnings against violence. Though some FIRs were filed, such legal action did little to inhibit such behaviour. Each of these incidents weaves a larger story where acts of faith have been repurposed as performances of domination and creating spectacles of humiliation, especially for minorities. Needless to state, the intent of the Yatra is not aggression. But a few miscreants have muddied perceptions of the whole Yatra. An additional challenge was thrown up this year by a directive from the Uttar Pradesh authorities requiring vendors and shop owners to display QR code stickers outside their shops. These codes were purportedly linked to a food safety app that revealed the names and religious and caste identity of the owners. The religious identities of stall owners along the route of the Yatra has often been the cause of conflict. Kanwariyas have been known to boycott Muslim vendors or even attack them. Though the directive on the QR codes was challenged before the Supreme Court, the judges refused to examine the legality of the order. Instead, they reiterated that vendors must display their licences and registration certificates as required by the law. Pintu, a worker washing dishes at a dhaba in Muzaffarnagar, was assaulted so brutally his leg broke. The reason? A piece of onion accidentally landed in a meal ordered by a kanwariya. Watch @anmolpritamND 's report on how faith is being weaponised: — newslaundry (@newslaundry) July 12, 2025 Ironically, the Supreme Court last year had stayed similar directives by Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand requiring owners of eateries to display the names of their owners and staff. Such disclosure not only violates the right to privacy but also the bundle of rights related to the protection of life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court's reluctance this year to examine the legality of the directive on QR codes leaves the door open for future abuses. This order, like last year's directive on names, lacks legal basis and perpetuates a climate of fear. The Kanwar Yatra's devotees undeniably have the right to eat and shop at establishments of their choice – but not at the cost of forcing shop owners and staff to disclose their identities, especially amid recurring violence. When two rights clashes, the solution lies in equilibrium and upholding religious freedom while safeguarding privacy and dignity. The state must ensure that logistical measures for the Yatra do not morph into instruments of profiling or intimidation. Until then, such directives will remain not just legally untenable but socially corrosive, undermining the pluralism the Constitution seeks to protect. While many still uphold the Yatra's true spirit – offering food, shelter, and flowers to pilgrims – the rising violence tarnishes its sanctity. A visible minority has hijacked perceptions of the event. The state's failure to curb this aggression risks normalising faith-based vigilantism, eroding the very pluralism the Constitution seeks to protect. Sociologist Santosh Singh has rightly argued that the Kanwar Yatra was a path of penance and pain, not spectacle and violence. 'Today, are we even listening to our gods and what they signify in essence?' he wrote in The Indian Express. The Kanwar Yatra must return to its roots – a journey of discipline, not domination. The state must enforce the law equally, ensuring that no religion enjoys a free pass for violence. Civil society, too, must resist the politicisation of faith and uphold the true essence of devotion – peace, humility and respect for all. Otherwise, what was once a sacred pilgrimage risks becoming an annual ritual of fear and division.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Four of 6 killed in Haridwar temple stampede from UP
Four of the six people killed in the Mansa Devi temple stampede in Uttarakhand's Haridwar on Sunday belonged to Uttar Pradesh, an official statement from the UP government said. An injured person being taken for treatment after a stampede at Mansa Devi temple, in Haridwar on July 27. (Agency) 'Among the four killed from the state, two have been identified as Aarush (12) of Bareilly and Vicky (18) from Rampur. Two others, whose age has not been confirmed yet, included Vakil of Barabanki and Shanti from Budaun', the UP government statement said. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed his condolences to the victims' families. He announced that the UP government will give ₹2 lakh each aid to the families of each of the UP victims. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister instructed the officers concerned to coordinate with the Uttarakhand government to bring back the bodies of the victims to their homes. The stampede at the hilltop temple occurred around 9am when rumours of an electric current where the stairs to the temple begin sent people into panic, ultimately killing at least six people and leaving many injured, according to Uttarakhand Police. In his message on X, Adityanath said, 'The loss of life in the unfortunate accident on the Sri Mansa Devi Temple road in Haridwar, Uttarakhand is extremely sad and condolences are with the bereaved families. I pray to Maa Mansa Devi to grant salvation to the departed souls, strength to the bereaved families to bear this immense sorrow and speedy recovery to the injured. Om Shanti!.' Vicky Saini from Rampur's Bilaspur died during treatment, while his elder brother Sachin sustained injuries. Vicky was pursuing his second year of graduation at Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Government College in Kuakhera. On Saturday night, he and Sachin set out for Haridwar on a motorcycle to fetch Ganga water as part of the Kanwar Yatra. After reaching Haridwar in the early hours of Sunday, the brothers took a dip in the Ganga and went to offer prasad at the Mansa Devi temple. While exiting the temple premises, there was a stampede-like situation following rumours that an overhead electric wire suddenly snapped and electrocuted several devotees. Vicky suffered severe injuries in the incident. Teams from the police, NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), and local administration launched a rescue operation and transported the injured to a nearby hospital. Vicky succumbed to his injuries during treatment. The victim's family left immediately for Haridwar. According to Savita Devi, the village head of Majhra, Vicky was the youngest of four siblings. His father, Tikaram Saini, works as an accountant at a cement shop. The family is also concerned about Vicky's mother, Shakuntala Devi, who is unwell and has not yet been informed about her son's death. Rajendra Singh, uncle of the deceased, said Vicky had left home the previous night to collect 'Daak Kanwar'. 'He bathed in the Ganga and offered prasad at Mansa Devi temple. The accident occurred as he was returning. We appeal to the government to support the grieving family,' he added. After the tragedy about 35 people were rushed to hospital, and six of them died. As it was a Sunday, a large crowd of devotees had gathered at the temple atop the Shivalik Hills at a height of over 500 feet. Videos from the spot showed a massive rush of people, including children and women, making their way to the temple. Outside the hospital, worried family members waited for news of their loved ones. Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said a magisterial probe has been ordered.
