CM Yogi on Kanwar Yatra: "A Message of Faith and Social Harmony"

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has lauded the ongoing Kanwar Yatra as a powerful, living embodiment of unwavering faith, profound discipline, and exemplary social harmony. Presiding over a high-level review meeting via video conferencing on Thursday, the Chief Minister evaluated the statewide status of law and order, festival preparations, the Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage, and women's safety frameworks. Issuing uncompromising directives to senior administration and police brass, CM Yogi declared a zero-tolerance policy against unruly elements, rumor-mongers, and anyone attempting to obstruct the peaceful, orderly conduct of religious gatherings.

Zero Tolerance for Anarchy and Swift Rebuttal of Fake News

Addressing officials from Lucknow, the Chief Minister stressed that violence, hooliganism, and deliberate attempts to vitiate the communal atmosphere will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Highlighting that malicious conspiracies are frequently hatched to stoke caste-based hatred in society, CM Yogi pointed out that the massive, disciplined participation of millions of devotees in the Kanwar Yatra serves as a shining beacon of unity. He instructed district administrations and police cyber cells to immediately refute any misleading or fake news circulated on social media to disrupt public peace. Furthermore, he noted that voluntary social organizations are actively collaborating with state machinery to serve pilgrims, showcasing healthy societal participation.

Ground Reports from Meerut and Ghaziabad on Pilgrim Influx

During the administrative review, top police officials presented detailed updates regarding the surge of devotees across western Uttar Pradesh:

• Inter-State Coordination: ADG Meerut Bhanu Bhaskar informed the Chief Minister that the Kanwar Yatra is receiving seamless logistical support and security coordination from neighboring border states.

• Surging Footfall in Ghaziabad: Ghaziabad Police Commissioner J. Ravindra Gaur reported that roughly 70,000 Kanwar pilgrims had safely passed through the district, with security forces and volunteers on high alert as footfall is expected to increase exponentially over the next couple of days.

• Communal Harmony in Bareilly: Highlighting a commendable display of interfaith brotherhood, CM Yogi praised the local Islamic community in Bareilly for scaling down Urs of Ala Hazrat celebrations and organizing vegetarian food distribution to respect the religious sentiments of Shiva devotees during the overlap with the Kanwar Yatra.

Uncompromising Stance on Women's Safety and 'Mission Shakti' Deployment

Shifting focus to public security, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grave concern over recent crimes against women, reiterating that women's safety has remained the non-negotiable core priority of his administration since day one.

To ensure absolute safety across urban and rural districts, the Chief Minister mandated strict protocols:

• Mission Shakti Execution: Drive the 'Mission Shakti' campaign with heightened efficiency across all police jurisdictions.

• Strategic Deployment of Women Police: Ensure the active, field-level deployment of the more than 45,000 women police officers currently stationed across the state.

• Public Exposure of Offenders: Mandate the public identification and exposure of chronic pickpockets, eve-teasers, and molesters to create a strong deterrent.

• Intensified Foot Patrols: Increase police patrolling in sensitive zones, holding local law enforcement officers personally accountable for any lapses in women's safety.