AGRA: After the 2013 communal riots, Muslims in Muzaffarnagar had started organising camps for kanwariyas each year to promote harmony and brotherhood. But for the past two years, most of these camp organisers preferred to stay at home. No such camp was set up in Muzaffarnagar city by them this year too. Asif Rahi, who organised kanwar camps for many years, told TOI on Thursday, "We don't want to put our people's lives in danger. Some members of our community have been recently targeted by certain right-wing groups."
Haryana film actor Vikas Balyan, who used to encourage Muslim youths to be part of welcoming events during kanwar yatra, added, "Due to some statements by Hindu hardliners and politicians, Muslims have not set up camps for kanwariyas. Earlier, there used to be two-three such camps every year."
Old-timers recall that at Minakshi Chowk, which is situated in a prominent area of the town, kanwariyas would stop in large numbers for rest and have their feet massaged. They were also provided medicines and snacks.
Shadab Khan, who had served kanwariyas at the camp for many years, said, "We were trying to build communal harmony all these years, but the current situation is not conducive for such camps." A local added that some community members got upset after certain right-wing groups had recently objected to running their shops along the road between Muzaffarnagar and Haridwar, thereby, directly affecting their livelihood.
Not all Muslims from the district are staying away from kanwariyas though. Chairman of Muzaffarnagar's Purkazi town, Zaheer Farouqui, has been welcoming kanwar pilgrims on the UP-Uttarakhand border with several others this year. Their camp has been set up with facilities for rest, drinking water, snacks and other refreshments.
Muzaffarnagar city magistrate, Vikas Kashyap, who grants permission to install such camps, meanwhile said, "We have allowed organisers to run their camps as usual. There is no issue as far as I know."
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.Mohammad Dilshad worked as a retail manager before foraying into ...
Read MoreMohammad Dilshad worked as a retail manager before foraying into the field of journalism out of sheer passion for the field. Armed with over a decade of experience with various news channels & print media, he covers crime, politics, education and human-interest issues in the Agra/Aligarh region as senior correspondent
Read Less