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Amid Kanwar Yatra 2026 as Kanwariyas continue to travel on foot to places like Haridwar to fetch holy water (Gangajal), reports of hooliganism, vandalism have come to surface yet again.
Two days ago, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed Kanwar pilgrims in Haridwar by showering flower petals and performing Charan Prakshalan (washing their feet). Flower petals were also showered from a helicopter along the route from Har Ki Pedi to the Kanwar Yatra corridor.
On the other hand, Kanwariyas have been seen vandalising cars, school bus, breaking law and order, disrupting traffic and harassing locals. In 2024, The Quint had met some Kanwariays on the ground to understand as to why the Kanwar Yatra was marred by violence every year. Our report still holds the ground.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on 4 August sought the Centre's response on a petition seeking the formulation of a standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure the safe and orderly conduct of the annual Kanwar Yatra.
In this piece, we take stock of some of the recent incidents of violence, however, this is not an exhaustive list.