The District Magistrate of Muzaffarnagar has recently ordered the closure of all educational institutions from August 3 onwards 'to maintain public safety during the annual pilgrimage.' ie. the Kanwar Yatra where youth carry holy water from the Ganges to their respective villages in North India. All shops and restaurants serving or selling meat along the Kanwar routes have been ordered to remain closed till August 12, while liquor and wine shops on these routes have been screened with curtains, though they will continue to operate. After all, non-vegetarianism is a sin. The Meerut district administration has issued the same orders. And of course government helicopters will spend taxpayers money to shower rose petals on these young men. But then again, this is a peaceful religious celebration where vehicles being smashed by Kanwarias are par for the course. No namaz on the roads for Muslims but all roads are open for this annual festival.
KRISHNOMIKA, Mumbai
