HARIDWAR (Uttarakhand): Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the ‘nameplate’ order on Kanwar routes, a heart-warming display of brotherhood and unity shines through in the work of Kanwar artisans in Haridwar. The Kanwar Yatra, which originates from Kumbhnagari Haridwar, stands as a beacon of Hindu-Muslim harmony.

Every year, during the month of Sawan, millions of Shiva devotees flock to Haridwar to collect the holy water of the Ganga. Remarkably, the Kanwars that these devotees carry on their shoulders are made with great care by Muslim families in Haridwar district, who spend many months on this labor of love. Months before the Kanwar fair begins, the Muslim community dedicates itself to preparing Kanwars. This craft is a family affair, involving everyone from the eldest members to the women and children, who work tirelessly day and night.

“We have been doing this since childhood. It gives me joy to be so involved in serving Bhole Baba. We make all types of Kanwars and Dolis, and feel a great sense of satisfaction while making and sharing them. Our hearts connect and we are all one,” said Istkar, a Kanwad artisan.

“I have been doing this for 15 years and it brings me a lot of joy. We also make Ravana images. It is all about love and brotherhood; the entire Hindu community is like a family to us,” said Abrar, another Kanwad artist.

This noble initiative by Muslim families has received wide appreciation from the Hindu community. Many Hindus believe that the Kanwads made by Muslim families are a sign of brotherhood and unity. “We have been doing this for the past 8-9 years. There is no distinction between Hindus and Muslims here. It doesn’t bother me at all; we are all brothers. We never wonder why we should work for Hindus. I have been doing this since my childhood. In two to three days, all our Kanwads will be sold out,” said Imran, another Kanwad artisan.

A row erupted over the order to put up a nameplate in Kanwar Yatra after the Uttar Pradesh government directed food shops on the Kanwar Yatra route to mention the names of their owners. The order received widespread attention from various political figures and the opposition, who criticized the Yogi government for its “divisive agenda”. Earlier, the Muzaffarnagar police had said that the police had appealed to all eateries to “voluntarily” mention the names of their owners and workers, adding that the intention of the order is not to create any kind of “religious discrimination” but only to facilitate the devotees.

Asaduddin Owaisi, president of All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), said it reflects the hatred towards Muslims in India.

Fear on Kanwar routes in UP: This is the reality of hatred against Indian Muslims. The credit for this visceral hatred goes to political parties, Hindutva leaders and so-called lip-service secular parties,” Owaisi had said in a post on ‘X’, sharing a picture of an egg stall with the owner’s name on it. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal also took a swipe at the move and wondered if the Kanwar Yatra route is the same as the journey to ‘Viksit Bharat’.

“Kanwar Yatra Route UP directs eateries including roadside carts to display names of owners! Is this the route to a ‘Viksit Bharat’? Divided agendas will only divide the country!” Sibal said in a post on ‘x’.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat hit out at the Yogi Adityanath government for the move and compared it to Nazi Germany.

“The Uttar Pradesh government is destroying the Constitution of India by issuing such orders… An entire community is being humiliated. They are trying to divide the society. This kind of targeting was done by Nazis in Germany. I condemn it,” Karat said, speaking to ANI on Saturday.

TV actor Sonu Sood was also trolled online after he took to X to voice his opinion on the issue, stating, “There should be only one nameplate on every shop: ‘HUMANITY'” Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also criticised the move and urged the court to hear the issue on its own. (ANI)