Kanwariyas Assault CRPF Jawan Among 20 Cases of Violence: What Are Cops Doing?

There have been at least 20 incidents of violence by Kanwariyas in UP and Uttarakhand during the 2025 Kanwar Yatra.

There have been at least 20 cases of violence by Kanwariyas this year.

Graphics: The Quint/ Vibhushita Singh

At Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur railway station, a group of kanwariyas (devotees undertaking the Kanwar Yatra) brutally assaulted CRPF jawan Gautam, who was on leave and returning home. A video widely circulated on social media shows a scuffle between the jawan and the kanwariyas on the railway platform. The jawan is seen falling to the ground while four to five men kick and punch him. His minor son is seen trying to intervene. When the jawan later tried to speak to them again, he was attacked a second time.

This is not an isolated incident. Over the past few years, violence and chaos during the Kanwar Yatra have become increasingly normalised. The 2025 Yatra officially began on 11 July, but reports of unrest had already started emerging earlier. So far, over 20 cases of kanwariya-related vandalism and violence have been registered across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

This report outlines where and when these violent events took place and what legal action followed. It also explores what is fuelling these incidents.

Mirzapur, 19 July: CRPF Jawan Assaulted

Police said the altercation began when the jawan, waiting for a train to return to Manipur, got into a dispute with kanwariyas over a ticket. The situation was brought under control by the GRP and RPF, and seven kanwariyas were detained — four of them minors — but all were released the same day.

The RPF in-charge claimed that the kanwariyas accused the jawan of being drunk and abusive, though this could not be verified. Based on a complaint by the jawan’s son, a case was filed under Sections 145 and 147 of the Railway Act.

Another FIR filed at Mirzapur GRP station names Abhay Tiwari, Abhishek Sahu, Satyam, and four unidentified persons. Charges include:

1. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):

   • Section 115(2) – Causing injury

   • Section 352 – Intentional insult to breach peace

   • Section 191(2) – Violence/Rioting

2. SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act:

   • Section 3(2)(5a)

The case is being investigated by the Deputy SP of Prayagraj Railway Section.

GRP Inspector Raghvendra Singh told The Quint that seven individuals, including four unknown persons, have been booked and released on bail, as the offences are bailable.

Trail of Violence in UP and Uttarakhand

• 19 July, Bareilly: In Bhuta, a minor collision between a car and kanwariyas led to vandalism of the car and a protest outside the police station. The kanwariyas also pelted stones despite police attempts to control the situation.

• 18 July, Saharanpur: In Shahjahanpur, kanwariyas vandalised an Innova car with sticks after it brushed against one of their water pots (kanwars).

• 17 July, Ghaziabad: Members of the Hindu Raksha Dal stormed into KFC and Nazeer Restaurant shouting “Har Har Mahadev” and “Jai Shri Ram,” and forced the shutters down, claiming that non-veg eateries shouldn’t be open during Sawan. Police have registered a case against 8–10 unidentified individuals.

• 17 July, Roorkee: In Manglaur, kanwariyas brutally beat a man with sticks after his bike lightly brushed against one of their kanwars. Despite police presence, no immediate action was taken.

• 17 July, Haridwar: Four kanwariyas were arrested for creating a traffic jam and abusing police during a DJ competition on the highway at Mohammadpur Cut.

• 14 July, Haridwar: Near Rishikul Chowk, kanwariyas thrashed a woman scooter rider over a minor collision. Men and women kanwariyas together assaulted her, pulled her hair, and beat her with slippers.

• 14 July, Haridwar: Kanwariyas blocked the highway and pelted stones at police after their kanwar was damaged by a tempo at Bahdarabad. Two were arrested.

• 14 July, Meerut: Kanwariyas vandalised a school bus and assaulted the driver in the presence of police after a minor crash injured three of them. FIR filed against 4–5 unidentified persons

Attacks on Home Guards, Police & Police Stations

• 13 July, Kanpur: In Shivrajpur, kanwariyas beat up a home guard, a chowkidar, and a student volunteer on duty. Later, a mob stormed the police station, damaging property and vehicles. CCTV footage helped identify 20 accused. Though no one was officially labelled a kanwariya, officials termed the attackers “anti-social elements.”

• 13 July, Ghaziabad: In Modinagar, kanwariyas vandalised a car with sticks and baseball bats after it hit a road divider where one of them was sitting. Police failed to intervene.

• 13 July, Muzaffarnagar: A group of kanwariyas vandalised a Muslim eatery near Saini Bhatta Chowk for not displaying the owner’s name. Staff accused them of physical assault.

• 13 July, Haridwar: Two kanwariyas vandalised a shop over a dispute about buying sunglasses. Both were arrested and charged under BNSS sections.

• 13 July, Haridwar: A local youth was beaten by kanwariyas during an argument. The youth retaliated with a stick, chasing them off.

• 12 July, Haridwar: At Bahadrabad toll plaza, kanwariyas damaged a bus and police vehicle by pelting stones after their kanwar was broken.

• 11 July, Roorkee & Haridwar: In two separate incidents, kanwariyas vandalised cars and assaulted drivers over minor collisions. Three were detained in Haridwar.

• 11 July, Amroha: In Gajraula, kanwariyas created a ruckus at a highway dhaba claiming the curry had eggs in it. Food safety inspection later found no evidence of eggs.

• 10 July, Muzaffarnagar: A youth was beaten and his bike smashed after it touched a kanwar. Police intervened in time to save him.

• 7 July, Muzaffarnagar: In Purkazi, kanwariyas from Haryana vandalised a dhaba after finding a piece of onion in their plate. FIR registered.

• 5 July, Manglaur: Kanwariyas vandalised a car after their kanwar touched it.

CM Yogi Adityanath’s Open Support to Kanwariyas

On 18 July, amid multiple reports of violence and vandalism, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath openly backed the kanwariyas:

“From the working class to the upper class, everyone is part of this. It is a beautiful display of unity. There is no discrimination of caste, region, class, religion or community in this. Yet, media trials are held and they are defamed. Some even dare to call them rioters and terrorists.”

UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Police Inaction Under Question

From Meerut to Mirzapur and Haridwar to Muzaffarnagar, several violent incidents unfolded during the Kanwar Yatra — including assaults on security forces, attacks on civilians, road blockades, and property damage. Despite being present in many of these cases, police often stood by as silent spectators.

In Mirzapur, all seven accused in the CRPF jawan assault case were released within hours. In Meerut and Modinagar, vehicles were vandalised in front of police officers, but no strict action was taken. Even in Haridwar and Roorkee, only token action was taken despite clear video evidence.

The violence during Kanwar Yatra isn't a new phenomenon. Even in 2024, The Quint had mapped at least 20 instances of violence across North India.

The apparent leniency of the police — perhaps under pressure from religious sentiment or political considerations — has sparked debate. Failure to crack down on lawbreakers has emboldened growing lawlessness.