- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Thu, 26 Jun 2025 12:08 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Taking serious note of recent incidents in Kaushambi, Etawah, and Auraiya, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday alleged a conspiracy to incite caste-based tensions in Uttar Pradesh. He instructed the police to identify and take stringent action against those attempting to create social unrest, stating that waiting for government orders in such cases is unnecessary.
Chairing a high-level law and order review meeting at his official residence, given upcoming festivals, the Chief Minister warned that any attempt to disrupt social harmony would not be tolerated. He directed Police Commissioners, Divisional Commissioners, District Magistrates, and Senior Superintendents of Police to maintain heightened vigilance during the sensitive period from late June to early August.
The CM underlined that the coming weeks, marked by festivals like Jagannath Rath Yatra (June 27–July 8), Kanwar Yatra, Shravani Shivratri, Nagpanchami, Rakshabandhan, and Moharram (June 27–July 6/7), demand robust coordination across departments — including police, health, sanitation, education, and disaster management.
Regarding the Kanwar Yatra, Adityanath emphasised increased surveillance in districts such as Ghaziabad, Meerut, Bareilly, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Kashi, Barabanki, and Basti, particularly those bordering Uttarakhand. He reiterated that religious processions must adhere to tradition and guidelines — no deviation in routes, no provocative slogans, and no excessively loud DJs, dhols or sound systems. The height of DJs used in the Tajia, Rath or Kanwar Yatra should remain within prescribed limits.
“No trees should be cut, slums demolished, or shelters of the poor removed for the sake of processions,” the CM added, cautioning against the infiltration of miscreants disguised as devotees. He instructed officials to establish direct communication with Kanwar associations at the police station and outpost levels to ensure smooth conduct.
To preserve sanctity and public order, the CM ordered a complete ban on open meat sales along the Yatra routes and stressed the need for proper arrangements, including cleanliness, street lighting, drinking water, toilets, sanitisation, and first-aid. Local administrations were asked to ensure the repair of dilapidated electric poles and dangling wires before the Yatra begins.
Yogi further directed that organisations setting up camps be verified, and public facilities be managed in coordination with them. With massive footfall expected at Shiva temples every Monday during the Shravan month, the Panchayati Raj and Urban Development Departments were instructed to prepare in advance for sanitation and traffic management.
Reiterating environmental concerns, the CM ordered strict enforcement of the ban on polythene and directed that food prices along the Yatra route be fixed to avoid overcharging. Shops must display the name of the operator, he added.
Expressing concern over complaints of overpriced fertilisers, Adityanath asked District Magistrates to conduct surprise inspections and take action against violators.
The Chief Minister also prohibited the display of weapons in religious processions and warned against political misuse of religious symbols, stating that such activities disturb communal harmony. If needed, drone surveillance should be deployed to monitor processions.
Highlighting the risk of misinformation, Yogi directed authorities to monitor social media platforms and counter false news and rumours immediately.
On Moharram, the CM instructed officials to initiate early coordination with peace and organising committees. Learning from past accidents, he emphasised that all prior arrangements must be in place and that events be conducted peacefully along traditional routes.