New Delhi: All India Imam Association President Maulana Sajid Rashidi has condemned the behaviour of a section of Kanwariyas, calling those involved in violence and intoxication “terrorists” rather than devotees of Lord Shiva.
Rashidi’s remarks came after several videos surfaced on social media allegedly showing Kanwariyas consuming alcohol, assaulting police personnel, smashing windows of a school van and injuring children, and stopping an ambulance to force passengers to chant religious slogans.
“You call those who sit on roads consuming alcohol and intoxicants devotees of Lord Shiva? You call those who assault police personnel in uniform Shiv Bhakts? You call those who smash the windows of a school van and injure children Shiv Bhakts? They are not Shiv Bhakts; they are terrorists,” Rashidi said.
He was careful to distinguish between the general Kanwariya community and those engaged in misconduct. “I am not speaking about all Kanwariyas. There are many good people among them. However, in general, I would say that 70 to 75 per cent of such people are involved in intoxication and violence,” he claimed.
Rashidi also addressed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, drawing a parallel with debates over offering Namaz on public roads. “I want to tell CM Yogi that when people ask whether Namaz should be offered on roads, the answer is often no. Then what about those who occupy roads, dance on them, and create disruptions?” he said.
He also described a video he said he saw on social media, in which a Kanwariya allegedly offered a cigarette to a statue of Lord Ram. “Can such people be called Kanwariyas? They are drug addicts, and you can call them whatever you want,” he added.
Separately, Rashidi commented on the political situation in Bangladesh, responding to reports about former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s plans. “The world is a circle; whatever you do comes back to you. What happened in Bangladesh is the result of what was done there,” he said. He added that Sheikh Hasina should be handed over to Bangladesh, and that the country’s people should decide her future.
