Mathura. The Kanwar Yatra is going to start from July 22, the first day of Sawan. A controversy has erupted in Uttar Pradesh after a government order regarding this. The state government has ordered the owners of hotels and dhabas to install name plates on the Kanwar route. Storyteller Devkinandan Thakur has supported this decision of the administration.

He said, “This time the Yogi government of UP is taking special care of the devotees bringing Kanwar. They are showering flowers on them, and are also paying attention to who is serving them food by changing their name. Bringing Kanwar is a penance, it is not an ordinary matter. “Devotees walk barefoot for several kilometers to bring Ganga water and offer it to Lord Shiva. In Sanatan Dharma, special attention is paid to purity and sanctity. In such a situation, if a person from a particular community runs a Dhaba and serves food in the name of our God, then it is wrong.

Their and our eating habits are different. Therefore, it is correct to tell who is running the Dhaba and Hotel.” Devkinandan Thakur said that if Hindus and Muslims are brothers, then what is the need for them to run Dhaba or Hotel on that route at a particular time? Even if they are running it, they should write their name clearly. Even in Mecca-Medina, Muslim people have to be very careful.

When care can be taken while going to Mecca, why not during Kanwar? He said, “I request those who are doing politics on this issue to once walk several kilometers to get Kanwar. After this you will know what all things have to be taken care of while bringing Kanwar.” Devkinandan has also appealed to the Kanwariyas to carry prasad from home during the journey. He said, “Bring prasad from home during the Kanwar Yatra or eat only at the dhaba and hotel of a Sanatani person.” -IANS SM/AKJ