The statement, "Religion is the opium of the people," is attributed to Karl Marx. According to Marx, religion, while offering temporary relief, ultimately serves to maintain the status quo by pacifying the masses and preventing them from challenging the systems that cause their suffering. History also reveals that religious conflicts have often led to violence and, at times, even wars. The two centuries of Crusades stand as prominent examples of how religious strife triggered prolonged warfare during the Middle Ages. Once people are sedated by the drug of religion, it becomes easy to mobilise them for political purposes, including through acts of violence and vandalism.

The Wire, on July 16, reported that 170 Kanwariyas have been booked for inciting violence during their pilgrimage. Charges include hooliganism, rioting, blocking highways, obstructing police officials, breaching the peace, and unlawful restraint. Hindustan Times, in its editorial on July 21, wrote, "The Kanwar yatra has, over the past few years, morphed from a stringent test of devotion to a free pass for all sorts of hooliganism, vandalism, and cacophonous disruption of traffic."

According to a Hindustan Times report on July 10, a group of Kanwariyas returning from Haridwar allegedly vandalised a car and assaulted its driver in Modinagar, Ghaziabad, after the vehicle reportedly brushed against one of the pilgrims. Despite the violence, police did not register a First Information Report (FIR) against the Kanwariyas. However, the driver, Sharma, was arrested under Section 170 (arrest to prevent commission of cognisable offences) of the BNSS.

As per The Hindu on July 10, in Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh), following a minor collision between a Kanwariya's kanwar and a motorcycle at Shiv Chowk, a group of Kanwariyas attacked the rider, beat him, and smashed his bike with sticks. Police had to intervene to rescue the victim.

In Rishikesh-Roorkee (Uttarakhand), Kanwariyas climbed onto a Scorpio SUV and smashed it using poles and sticks, completely destroying the vehicle. This incident was reported by The Times of India on July 11, 2025.

Mint, on July 14, reported that when a school bus struck several pilgrims in Meerut near Delhi Road, enraged Kanwariyas retaliated by breaking the bus windows and assaulting the driver. Thankfully, no students were onboard at the time.

According to a Deccan Herald news report on July 14, a group of Kanwariyas allegedly vandalised a dhaba in Muzaffarnagar, claiming that the owners—Muslims—had not displayed their identities openly. A similar incident had occurred earlier in the same town, where Kanwariyas vandalised another dhaba after being allegedly served onion in their food. They were accused of damaging furniture, the kitchen, and the ceiling fans at the establishment.

As reported in Hindustan Times on July 15, in Kanpur, during a Kanwar procession, rioters—identified as Kanwariyas—vandalised the Shivrajpur police station and assaulted a home guard, a security guard, and a student volunteer. At least five suspects were arrested.

On July 20, The Telegraph reported another tragic incident involving the assault of a CRPF jawan by Kanwariyas. CCTV footage shows a group of Kanwariyas thrashing, kicking, and punching the jawan following an argument over train ticket purchases at UP's Mirzapur railway station. According to the report, seven Kanwariyas had been arrested, but were released within 30 minutes.

A government school teacher, Rajneesh Gangwar, from Baheri town in Bareilly district, has been booked after a video of him allegedly reciting a poem that discouraged students from participating in the Kanwar Yatra went viral on social media. The video shows Gangwar reciting the poem during the morning assembly. Titled "Tum Kanwar Lene Mat Jana… Gyaan Ka Deep Jalana" ("Don't go to fetch the Kanwar, light the lamp of knowledge instead"), the poem drew mixed reactions—criticism from some organisations and appreciation from others. "I only wanted to motivate my students to focus on their studies. I did not say anything against any religion. My intention was purely academic," Gangwar responded to the criticism.

Since 2017, the Kanwar Yatra has seen a rising trend of violence, vandalism, and lawlessness. What was traditionally a spiritual and peaceful pilgrimage has, in recent years, been marred by aggressive behaviour and communal tensions, often under the gaze—or tacit approval—of state authorities.

Rather than reprimanding the Kanwariyas involved in violence or instructing police to act firmly against lawlessness, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has chosen to defend them. While speaking at a seminar on tribal icon Birsa Munda in Varanasi on July 18, 2025, he alleged that the Kanwar Yatra was being deliberately defamed and that its participants were being labelled as goons by those who sought to humiliate India's heritage. "Today, the Yatra is progressing peacefully and with devotion, yet some label it as unruly. These are the same forces that try to mislead and provoke tribal communities. We must remain alert to such divisive elements," he said.

Political analysts and commentators have identified several reasons behind the rising violence during the Kanwar Yatra. State patronage is one of them. Under Yogi Adityanath's regime, the Yatra has received unprecedented state support, such as flower petals showered by helicopters, massive police deployment, and glorification in official speeches. This year, the highway from Meerut to Haridwar was effectively shut down for their movement, and schools in the district were closed for five days. Such actions embolden the participants, many of whom believe they enjoy immunity from consequences.

The communalisation of this religious event is another reason. Once a rural, spiritual pilgrimage, the Yatra is now marked by hyper-masculinity and overt Hindutva symbolism, often targeting minority communities. The use of provocative slogans, loud music, and processions through Muslim-majority areas has heightened communal tensions.

Weak law enforcement has exacerbated the problem. Police are often reluctant to act against violent Kanwariyas, fearing political backlash. In numerous cases, FIRs were either delayed or not filed at all, reinforcing a sense of lawlessness among the participants.

The Yatra has also become a vehicle for the political mobilisation of youth along religious lines. Sangh-affiliated groups frequently organise and coordinate these pilgrimages, turning them into platforms for asserting dominance. According to media reports, this year Kanwariyas were even provided with T-shirts bearing images of Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Yogi, apparently distributed by local BJP leaders.

A statement by BJP MLA from Ballia, Surendra Singh, confirms the politicisation of the Yatra: "In western Uttar Pradesh, where Muslims tend to dominate, our government has told Hindus that they do not need to fear and can continue with their religious activities on a larger scale. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have given the colour of Hindutva to India," he said.

Social media amplification has also played a significant role. Videos glorifying aggressive Kanwariya behaviour frequently go viral, fuelling a toxic cycle of imitation and online validation.

Amid this aggressive politicisation and justification of violence by Kanwariyas, a few sane voices continue to call for the restoration of the pilgrimage's spiritual sanctity. On Tuesday, July 15, the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP) urged devotees to preserve the spiritual essence of the Kanwar Yatra and refrain from actions that tarnish its significance.

"This is not just a journey; it's a profound act of devotion that dates back to the Treta Yuga, when Lord Parshuram is believed to have first brought the Kanwar from Haridwar. Later, Shravan Kumar carried his parents on a Kanwar, symbolising service, sacrifice, and devotion. Kanwariyas must remember they are following in the footsteps of such revered figures. This Yatra is about compassion and penance, not aggression and chaos," said Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of ABAP.

Unfortunately, political opposition in the country seems hesitant to speak out against the rampant politicisation of the Kanwar Yatra or to denounce the violence and lawlessness committed by the Kanwariyas, fearing the loss of Hindu votes. Yet, the rule of law is the soul of democracy, and it is being trampled upon by those who have sworn allegiance to the Constitution of India.

Religion devoid of spirituality becomes a convenient tool for political exploitation. Ambitious religious leaders promote ritualistic religiosity stripped of genuine spirituality and often collude with politicians for personal or ideological gain. True spirituality involves living by the core principles and values taught by all religions—love, compassion, selfless service, justice, respect for every human being, and care for the Earth and its resources. No genuinely spiritual person will ever resort to violence or condone it. Authentic spiritual leaders of all faiths must resist the hijacking of religion by political forces and vocally condemn violence and vandalism carried out in the name of God or faith.

While speaking at a book release function in Delhi on July 17, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale urged the audience to focus on purifying the inner pollution of human beings, which he described as traits like corruption, arrogance, deceit, and laziness. The RSS leader would have done well to remind the Kanwariyas, cow vigilantes, and hate mongers about the need for such inner purification.

All religions require continuous reformation and purification. The justification of hatred, revenge, and violence is a sure sign that a religion has been hijacked by politically motivated or self-serving leaders. In the Christian tradition, prophets are those who challenge the misuse and distortion of religion. Jesus himself was primarily a prophet who denounced the religious leaders of his time for corrupting the essence of religion (Matthew 23:1–36). His followers today bear a profound responsibility to prevent religion from being misused by politicians and power-hungry religious leaders.