Chief minister Yogi Adityanath reviews Kanwar yatra plans in west Uttar Pradesh
CM Yogi assessed the preparations for the Kanwar Mela at the temple and sought detailed updates from district magistrate Deepak Meena regarding the arrangements for the influx of Kanwariyas, said officials of the UP information department.
'CM Yogi also inquired about the progress of the Dudheshwar Nath temple corridor being developed under the tourism department within the temple premises. After visiting the temple, CM Yogi proceeded to the Ghaziabad police lines, from where he boarded a helicopter to shower flower petals on Kanwariyas travelling along routes passing through various districts of western UP, especially near the borders of Muzaffarnagar and Meerut,' said officials.
'CM Yogi expressed satisfaction about the arrangements taken up for Kanwar Yatra and Kanwariyas in Ghaziabad. We also briefed him about the progress of the temple corridor, for which several old shops need to be shifted out. We will also hold a meeting in this regard within a week, and further progress is expected soon,' said district magistrate Deepak Meena.
The temple corridor in Ghaziabad is expected to be built on the lines of the corridor in Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi.
While in Meerut district, CM Yogi warned of strict action against any attempt to disrupt the Yatra.
'It is the responsibility of every Kanwar sangh and every Shiv bhakt to expose such elements and immediately inform the authorities. The entire Yatra route is under CCTV surveillance, and once the Yatra concludes, strict action will be taken against those identified. Their posters will also be displayed publicly,' said CM Yogi in a statement issued by the department.
CM Yogi while taking a dig at the previous governments said that before 2017, such pilgrimages were neither supported nor respected, but they were obstructed.
'Today, with a government that values and protects faith, it is the collective duty of all devotees to carry forward this tradition with peace and respect. If anyone receives information about any such person, they should inform the administration instead of taking the law into their own hands,' said CM Yogi.
Reacting to CM Yogi's statements, Samajwadi Party's district president Faizal Hussain, said, 'The Kanwar Yatra went on peacefully during previous years and previous governments, and it was never stopped. People of different faiths have always supported and contributed towards it. Political statements should be avoid during religious events. But, it is the habit of the BJP leaders to play divisive politics. They will never raise and listen to the issues of unemployment, poverty, lack of education facilities and healthcare which largely affect the common man.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
14 minutes ago
- News18
Bengal Police Start Helpline For Migrant Workers From State Facing Harassment Elsewhere, BJP Slams Move
The BJP has accused West Bengal's ruling TMC of trying to legitimise Rohingya migrants as potential voters The West Bengal police have introduced a helpline for migrant workers from the state facing harassment and identity checks elsewhere. Families of migrant workers have been raising concerns about their relatives being detained or questioned while working outside Bengal. In a social media statement, Bengal police acknowledged the rise in such complaints and issued a call to action. 'If you encounter problems while working in another state, contact the state police helpline. We have received reports about Bengal natives being harassed and detained in other states. Many workers and their families are unaware of how or whom to report these issues to. Therefore, we urge citizens from Bengal, as well as their families, to inform the local police station or district control room immediately. Additionally, we are launching a dedicated helpline at 9147727666, available exclusively via WhatsApp. Users can send their information, including their name and address. Each case will be verified, and we will coordinate with the relevant state authorities to take appropriate action," the department said. The statement emphasised that while police verification is being streamlined across various states, this helpline will expedite communication and verification processes, facilitating quicker intervention for affected migrant workers. The Bengal government has been proactive in addressing migrant workers' welfare. A Migrant Workers' Welfare Board exists in the state, with an estimated 22 lakh migrant workers from Bengal across India. However, the current situation involves specific issues related to identity verification, making the police helpline crucial at this moment. In December 2023, the state government launched the Karmasathi (Parijayee Shramik) initiative, which includes a toll-free helpline (1800-103-0009) and a 24-hour call centre to support migrant workers. This initiative also established registration infrastructure at railway stations and block offices under the Migrant Workers' Welfare Scheme, 2023, to ensure the safety and well-being of workers across the country. Government sources indicate that the situation calls for immediate action due to the rising instances of harassment and identity checks faced by migrant workers in other states. The police helpline is seen as an essential tool for families to seek immediate help and assistance. Mamata Banerjee Raises Concerns Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has consistently voiced her concerns about the increasing number of Bengalis allegedly being detained or harassed in various states, particularly those ruled by the BJP. This issue first gained prominence when Bengali workers were allegedly detained in Odisha, accused of being Bangladeshi nationals despite having valid Indian identification. Similar alleged instances have been reported in Haryana, where approximately 237 workers were detained, and in Rajasthan, where between 300 and 400 workers were similarly accused. Banerjee said, 'Is it a crime to speak in Bengali?" She announced plans to launch a language movement on July 27, starting from Birbhum, to protest against what she describes as a cultural and linguistic assault on Bengali speakers. BJP Hits Back The TMC government has strongly criticised the 'ongoing harassment" of Bengali-speaking workers, claiming it is politically motivated. Trinamool leaders argue that this is part of a larger agenda to target Bengalis in BJP-ruled states, aiming to label them as Bangladeshis. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party has dismissed these claims, accusing the TMC of trying to legitimise Rohingya migrants as potential voters. The BJP argues that the TMC's language movement is a political strategy to garner support among certain voter segments rather than a genuine concern for migrant workers' welfare. BJP's Suvendu Adhikari said, 'This post is entirely politically motivated. It has been shared to confuse and disturb Bengali people living in different parts of India for work, intending to cause panic. Indian Bengalis and Hindu refugees across India are not facing any problems. However, Hindu Bengalis living in West Bengal often become victims of harassment by the police. To those people and to Indian Hindus coming from other states, no matter what language they speak, if they are residing in any district of West Bengal for work and are harassed by the police (Mamata's police), please send me the details via email. I will provide full assistance. My email ID is – adhikarisuvenduwb1@ 'Additionally, I request any concerned citizens of West Bengal, if they come across any Rohingya Muslims or Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators residing in any district of West Bengal, to kindly send the information to my email ID. I will ensure that this information reaches the proper authorities," he said. About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / focusing on politics, defence, and women's issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from More First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Extension of President's rule in Manipur will undermine democratic spirit, people don't want it: Congress
Congress opposes extending President's Rule in Manipur. They believe it weakens democracy. The party criticizes the BJP's failure to manage the state. Keisham Meghachandra Singh highlights the lack of a suitable leader. The Union government plans a six-month extension. Manipur has been under President's Rule since February 13. Ethnic violence has caused many deaths and displacement since May 2023. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Guwahati: Opposition Congress on Friday said that extension of the President's Rule in Manipur would undermine the democratic spirit and the people of the state do not want State Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh said that the "double-engine" governments have utterly failed to deal with the Manipur situation and the extension of the President's Rule is an Union Government wanted to extend the President's Rule for another six months as there is no suitable (BJP) leader in the state.'President's Rule is a temporary measure for the restoration of peace and normalcy. Continuance of President's Rule due to issues related to internal law and order is unprecedented," Singh, also a Congress MLA, told the said that the President's Rule was imposed and now being extended because the BJP, despite having the numbers, failed to elect a capable leader to steer the Congress leader criticised both the NDA government at the Centre and the former BJP-led government in the state for their lack of initiative in resolving the ongoing Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is set to extend the President's Rule in Manipur for another six months from August 13 and a notice for bringing a statutory resolution on it has been given to the Rajya Sabha, which has been admitted by the BJP, which along with its allies have sufficient strength in the 60-member Manipur Assembly to form a new government in the state for state leaders including former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on a number of occasions went to Delhi and persuaded the Central BJP leaders to form the popular government in the has been under President's Rule since February 13, four days after the resignation of Biren Singh from the Chief Minister's least 260 people have been killed and over 60,000 people of different communities rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023 in the state.
The Hindu
35 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Healing Manipur: on Manipur and President's Rule
The imposition of President's Rule, once a frequent and politically motivated tool of the Centre, has declined considerably since the 1990s. This welcome shift is a consequence of S.R. Bommai, the landmark judgment, the rising influence of regional parties in national politics, and public revulsion to its misuse. In recent years, its application has become rare, reserved for genuine constitutional breakdown or severe internal security challenges, such as in Manipur. On Friday, President's Rule was extended there by another six months, from August 13. But few would contest the extension, as the Centre is struggling to find a durable solution to the ethnic conflict. Following the resignation of N. Biren Singh and the fall of the BJP government, there has been a discernible but fragile calm. A crackdown on militant groups that had operated with impunity has reduced open violence, and some families displaced since May 2023 have begun to return home. However, these positive developments are overshadowed by the unbridged and deep-seated ethnic schism between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. The landscape of Manipur is still carved up by buffer zones, rigidly segregating communities. The political chasm is just as stark: Kuki-Zo groups are resolute in their demand for a separate administration, while hardline Meitei organisations persist with a narrative that brands fellow citizens as 'outsiders'. Administrative steps, particularly those that reiterate de-weaponisation and a defanging of militant groups acting for ethnic interests, must continue. They not only break the aura of impunity with which these groups function but will also encourage moderates to raise their voices for reconciliation. During Mr. Singh's tenure, prominent civil society activists seeking to halt the conflict by critiquing the biased nature of governance were hounded. But the administrative measures to improve the rule of law must be supplemented by political gestures. The BJP enjoyed support in the valley and the hills when it was elected, but has been unable to bridge the ethnic hostility. This is largely because the party's national leadership has shown little inclination to treat the issue urgently, leaving it to civil servants and security forces to tackle the problem. While the continuation of President's Rule might seem inevitable in Manipur, its success should not be measured by the absence of violence alone. The Centre's responsibility is to foster political conditions to bridge the ethnic divide, but that responsibility must be shared. Political parties and civil society groups must defy the hardliners and begin the painstaking work of reconciliation. The future of a peaceful Manipur will be written by the initiative of committed political actors willing to transcend ethnic divisions and work toward the genuine healing of their fractured society.
