A shocking incident has emerged from Mirzapur railway station in Uttar Pradesh, where a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was brutally assaulted by a group of Kanwariyas. The attack, captured on CCTV and widely circulated on social media, has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about crowd control and respect for law enforcement during religious pilgrimages.
The Incident Unfolds The altercation reportedly began over a dispute regarding the purchase of train tickets. The CRPF jawan, who was on his way to board the Brahmaputra Mail, became the target of Kanwariyas. The viral video footage clearly shows saffron-clad pilgrims pinning the jawan to the ground, repeatedly punching and kicking him. What is particularly alarming is that a significant crowd of onlookers remained spectators, with only one passenger reportedly attempting to intervene during the assault.
आस्था की आड़ में उत्पात!
यूपी के मिर्जापुर में कुछ कांवड़ियों ने रेलवे स्टेशन पर सीआरपीएफ के एक जवान की बेरहमी से पिटाई कर दी. इसका वीडियो भी सामने आया है. जिसमें कांवड़िये जवान को फर्श पर गिराकर लात-घूसों से पिटते नजर आ रहे हैं. बताया जा रहा है कि सीआरपीएफ के जवान ब्रह्मपुत्र… pic.twitter.com/GOJuSC2JMv
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Swift Action by Authorities Following the incident, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) acted swiftly. Upon receiving information about the assault, RPF personnel rushed to the scene. A case was promptly registered against the assailants. After an investigation, seven Kanwariyas involved in the beating were taken into custody. RPF in-charge inspector Chaman Singh Tomar confirmed the arrests.
Context of the Kanwar Yatra The incident occurred during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra, an annual Hindu pilgrimage. During this ritual, devotees of Shiva, known as Kanwariyas, undertake a journey, often barefoot, to collect sacred water from the Ganges River and offer it at Shiva temples. This year’s Yatra commenced on July 11 and is scheduled to conclude on July 23, coinciding with the holy month of Shravan. While the pilgrimage is a display of faith, such acts of violence undermine its sanctity and pose significant challenges for law enforcement tasked with managing large crowds.
Concerns Over Public Order The Mirzapur incident is not isolated, as other reports of nuisance and unruly behaviour by some individuals during the Kanwar Yatra have also surfaced. These events highlight the need for stricter measures and greater public cooperation to ensure peaceful conduct during large religious gatherings. The viral video, showing a jawan being attacked in public with bystanders doing little, has intensified the debate on civic responsibility and the challenges faced by security personnel.
Conclusion The assault on the CRPF jawan at Mirzapur station serves as a stark reminder of how ‘faith’ can sometimes be misused to justify disturbing behaviour. While the arrests provide a measure of justice, the incident underscores the critical need for continued vigilance, effective crowd management strategies, and a stronger commitment from all participants to uphold law and order, even during religious festivities.