New Delhi, August 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Amid a controversy over videos showing some Kanwariyas allegedly engaging in violence, consuming intoxicants and creating disturbances, All India Imam Association President Maulana Sajid Rashidi on Thursday said that people involved in such acts cannot be described as devotees of Lord Shiva.
Speaking to IANS, Rashidi criticised incidents of alleged misconduct during the Kanwar Yatra and said those involved in violence or public disorder were not true followers of the faith.
“Can those who sit on roads consuming alcohol and intoxicants be called devotees of Lord Shiva? Can those who assault police personnel in uniform or damage a school van and injure children be called Shiv Bhakts? Those who stop an ambulance carrying a patient and force people to chant slogans cannot be called Shiv Bhakts,” he said.
However, Rashidi clarified that his remarks were not aimed at all Kanwariyas and acknowledged that many devotees undertake the annual pilgrimage with genuine religious sentiments.
“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.
Rashidi also raised questions over the debate surrounding religious activities in public spaces while addressing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
“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.
He also referred to a video circulating on social media, claiming that it showed a Kanwariya 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 that 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.
On the issue of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s future, Rashidi said that people in power often face 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. There is no point in crying now. When people are in power, they often see nothing beyond their position,” he said.
Rashidi added that Sheikh Hasina should be handed over to Bangladesh and that the people of the country 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,” he told IANS.
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