‘Kanwar yatra could have been flashpoint for third Covid wave’
Allowing pilgrimage of this magnitude could have been dangerous as threat of third wave knocks on doors, say experts
DEHRADUN/HARIDWAR: Kanwar yatra that attracted over 36 million pilgrims in 2019 could have easily become a flashpoint for the third Covid-19 wave not only for Uttarakhand but also for the nation.
Most experts have warned that if the yatra is allowed, it will be an open invitation to third Covid-19 wave and a repetition of what happened during Haridwar Mahakumbh that attracted over 9 million pilgrims and contributed to a surge in cases after pilgrims went back to their respective states.
Why Kanwar yatra should not be held
Kanwar yatra is an annual pilgrimage of Shiva devotees, known as Kanwariyas, to Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to fetch Ganga waters which they take back to their respective areas to anoint Shiv Lingams. Amid fears of the third wave and delta plus variant, the state government on Tuesday decided not to allow the yatra. But on Thursday, after UP allowed the yatra, the state government took a U-turn and decided to review its decision by holding with talks with other states.
There are many reasons why Uttarakhand should not allow
the yatra, even as it is under pressure to allow it after Uttar Pradesh decided to allow the yatra on July 9 and the BJP government doesn’t want to annoy traders and religious leaders in the poll year.
Almost impossible to check Covid violations
The Mahakumbh experience has made it amply clear that when millions of pilgrims arrive in the holy city, it is not possible to ensure people follow social distancing and wearing of face masks. The Mahakumbh emerged as the single event with maximum Covid violations in the nation since the pandemic started last year. Recently, huge crowds have been coming for evening Ganga aarti, with local administration buckling under the pressure of traders and seers to remove barricades for checking overcrowding of the aarti venue.
During Mahakumb, between April 1 and April 30, the active cases in the state soared from 2,236 to 55,743, registering a spike of 2,392%. In contrast, Kanwar Yatra will be a minimum three to four times Mahakumbh as 30 to 40 million pilgrims are likely to come over the 15 days period compared to over 9 million pilgrims that attended the Mahakumbh. With such influx of pilgrims, ramifications with regard to the spread of Covid could be much higher.
Dr Sanjay Shah, vice president of Association of Physicians of India, Uttarakhand chapter, said newer variants of Covid being reported across the country and all governments have to be extra cautious.
“So it is very dangerous to allow pilgrimage of this magnitude at this crucial juncture between slowing down of the second wave and the country being on the brink of the third wave,” he said.
Challenge of managing huge numbers
As per Kanwar Mela figures of 2019, the majority of Kanwariyas arrived from Haryana (31%) and Uttar Pradesh (27%). In 2010, one crore mark was breached with 1.20 crore Kanwariyas arriving in Uttarakhand.
Kanwariyas arrive in Uttarakhand through Haridwar district - the entrance gateway of Garhwal division, primarily from Laksar, Shyampur, Mandawar-Bhagwanpur, Kali Nadi, Narsain and Roorkee. Kanwar Mela Force diverts the Kanwariyas plying on sub-routes towards National Highway-58 HaridwarDelhi and on Haridwar-Najibabad 72 highway for safe and better management of the yatra.
Nearly one crore Kanwariyas arrive on foot while remaining Kanwariyas arrive on twowheelers, four-wheelers, trucks, trolleys and through public transport buses and trains. Prior to 2019, Kanwar yatra was not funded by the state government and was managed on the district-level only. However, since then government decided to fund the yatra by allocating ₹1 crore for the annual pilgrimage.
On the security front, huge arrangements are put in place for Kanwar fair as many violent instances have taken place in the past. In 2019, nearly 7,000 security personnel were deployed for the yatra. A nodal Kanwar Mela force officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police is appointed for the fair.
Diversion of resources, manpower for the event At a time when the state is readying for the Covid third wave, directing huge resources and manpower for such an event that has the power to wash off all the preparations is not a pragmatic thing to do. Managing millions of pilgrims requires nearly 7,000 security personnel, which Mahakumbh showed, couldn’t ensure the implementation of Covid norms.
The same resources and manpower could help the state in improving its readiness for the third wave.
“Uttarakhand is not at all ready and does not have the wherewithal to handle the widely anticipated third wave post the Kanwar Yatra. If the government relents in the face of pressure from states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, the Kanwar Yatra could easily become the flashpoint for the third wave not only for Uttarakhand but for the entire nation”, said Anoop Nautiyal, founder of Social Development for Communities Foundation, who has been analysing the Covid data in the state.
State is criticised for Kumbh, Char Dham
Not just experts and people from different walks of life, the Uttarakhand high court has lashed out at the state government for the way it had handled Mahakumbh and Char Dham.
The HC had stated in its order that the Char Dham yatra should not be allowed as it is not satisfied with the preparedness of the government, especially regarding the healthcare facilities and status of Covid-19 inoculation in the three districts where the four shrines are located. The hesitancy of the government to allow the yatra is mainly on account of the flak it has received from the court on Mahakumbh and Char Dham.
Dushyant Mainali, legal expert and one of the lawyers, who had raised Covid violations in the HC, said the court on June 23 made it clear that “large gathering invariably leads to a spike in Covid-19 cases, and stated in its order that “this court is of the firm opinion that a catastrophe like Covid-19 pandemic should not be re-invited by holding large gathering at religious shrines…”