Amid viral social media videos allegedly showing some Kanwariyas consuming alcohol, engaging in violence and creating public disturbances, All India Imam Association President Maulana Sajid Rashidi on Thursday said such individuals should not be described as devotees of Lord Shiva.
Speaking to IANS, Rashidi said people involved in violence, vandalism and disruptive behaviour do not represent genuine devotees.
“You call those who sit on roads consuming alcohol and intoxicants devotees of Lord Shiva? You call those who assault police personnel in uniform Shiv Bhakts? You call those who smash the windows of a school van and injure children Shiv Bhakts?” he said.
Referring to reported incidents involving ambulances, he added, “You even call those who stop an ambulance carrying a patient and force people to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ Shiv Bhakts? They are not Shiv Bhakts; they are terrorists.”
‘Not Speaking About All Kanwariyas’
Rashidi clarified that his remarks were not aimed at all Kanwar pilgrims and acknowledged that many undertake the yatra with sincerity and devotion.
“I am not speaking about all Kanwariyas. There are many good people among them. However, in general, I would say that 70-75 per cent of such people are involved in intoxication and violence,” he claimed.
Questions Road Occupation During Religious Events
The Imam Association chief also referred to the debate over offering prayers in public spaces and questioned the occupation of roads during the Kanwar Yatra.
“I want to tell CM Yogi that when people ask whether Namaz should be offered on roads, the answer is often ‘no’. Then what about those who occupy roads, dance on them, and create disruptions? Boys and girls are dancing on roads and some are indulging in intoxication,” he said.
Rashidi also mentioned a video he claimed to have seen on social media in which a Kanwariya was allegedly offering a cigarette to a statue of Lord Ram.
“I saw a video that was quite shocking. Although some people tried to stop him, he said whatever they consumed would also be offered to Lord Ram. Can such people be called Kanwariyas? They are drug addicts, and you can call them whatever you want,” he added.
Comments on Sheikh Hasina
Rashidi also commented on former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saying political leaders eventually face the consequences of their actions.
“The world is a circle; whatever you do comes back to you. What happened in Bangladesh is the result of what was done there,” he said.
He further said that Sheikh Hasina should be returned to Bangladesh and that its people should decide her future.
“Sheikh Hasina should be handed over to her own country. The people of Bangladesh should decide what should happen to her,” Rashidi told IANS.
