Amidst preparations for a series of significant religious observances in the coming weeks, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday night chaired a high-level review meeting with top police and administrative officials to assess law and order and ensure peace during the holy month of Shravan, which begins on July 11.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister underscored the need for heightened vigilance and seamless coordination among all departments given several upcoming festivals—including the Kanwar Yatra, Shravani Shivratri, Nag Panchami, Raksha Bandhan, the ongoing Jagannath Rath Yatra (June 27 to July 8), and Muharram, which is expected to be observed from July 6 or 7.
Describing this extended festive period as “highly sensitive” from the perspective of public order, sanitation, health, education, and disaster preparedness, the CM said, “It is the responsibility of every official to remain proactive, responsive, and united in approach.”
Expressing particular concern about the massive turnout expected during the annual Kanwar Yatra, CM Yogi described it as a “symbol of faith, discipline, and celebration.”
He instructed all districts, especially those near the Uttarakhand border—like Ghaziabad, Meerut, Bareilly, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Kashi, Barabanki, and Basti—to remain on heightened alert and maintain continuous inter-state coordination.
The CM also expressed worry over recent incidents aimed at disturbing social harmony. Referring to provocative attempts in districts such as Kaushambi, Etawah, and Auraiya, he warned that efforts were being made by anti-social elements to instigate caste- or religion-based tensions.
“There is no place for communal mischief in Uttar Pradesh. Officers must not wait for directions from above. Immediate, lawful action should be taken against any such elements trying to disrupt harmony,” he firmly stated.
To ensure the peaceful conduct of the Kanwar Yatra, CM Yogi reiterated key ground-level directives:
- Every shop along the yatra route must display the owner’s name for identification and transparency.
- The open sale of meat or other objectionable items must be strictly prohibited along the yatra route.
- Noise levels from DJs, drums, and other instruments must remain within permissible limits; provocative slogans or deviations from traditional routes will not be tolerated.
- The height of DJs or platforms in religious processions such as Tazia, Rath, or Kanwar Yatra must not exceed the regulated limits.
- No slum demolition, tree cutting, or eviction of the poor will be allowed in the name of procession preparation—every community’s rights must be respected.
He warned that the display of weapons or the political exploitation of religious events is strictly banned, as such actions disrupt communal harmony. Surveillance is to be enhanced, including drone monitoring and a robust social media watch to counter misinformation.
“The spread of rumors and fake news is a serious concern during this period. Fact-checking must be swift, and credible information should be disseminated to prevent panic,” the CM instructed.
CM Yogi also acknowledged the possibility of miscreants attempting to infiltrate large gatherings in disguise. Hence, he directed district administrations and local police stations to maintain regular contact with Kanwar Sanghs and religious organizers, and to conduct thorough reviews of all arrangements.
“While every effort must be made to honor and facilitate religious faith and sentiment, no troublemaker should get a free hand,” he emphasized.
Regarding the upcoming Muharram processions, the CM called for proactive planning. Citing past instances, he advised learning from previous experiences to ensure that all processions are peaceful and adhere to traditional routes.
He instructed district officials to involve Peace Committees and community leaders from the outset to maintain order and cooperation.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directives reflect a clear and resolute commitment to upholding religious freedom, protecting public safety, and promoting communal harmony.
As Uttar Pradesh heads into a period of heightened religious activity, the state administration has been placed on high alert with a singular focus: to enable peaceful celebrations while firmly dealing with any disruptive or unlawful conduct.