New Delhi [India], July 11: Delhi State President of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Saurabh Bharadwaj, has accused the BJP-led Delhi administration of politicising the sacred Kanwar Yatra by withholding resources from long-running community-run Kanwar camps and redirecting them to newly formed BJP-backed organizations.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Bharadwaj strongly criticized the government’s alleged move to defund traditional Kanwar camps, stating that it has created chaos and uncertainty for committees that have been organizing these camps for over a decade.
🔹 Key Allegations Made by AAP:
- Long-standing Kanwar committees left in the dark about funding and logistics, leading to last-minute disarray.
- New policy announced by the BJP administration replaces direct provisioning of tents, lighting, and sound systems with unspecified monetary transfers.
- No funds received yet by committees despite promises made at Secretariat-level meetings.
- Preference given to BJP-linked committees, forcing them to register new societies and bank accounts for eligibility.
- Established camps dismantled—including the prominent one at Kondli Pul, run by AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar for the past 6 years.
🗣️ Saurabh Bharadwaj’s Statement:
“This model of Kanwar Seva worked seamlessly for years, regardless of political affiliation. The BJP is now trying to hijack this community service and push public funds to its own ecosystem.”
He added that this political interference disrupts a sacred tradition and undermines the equal treatment extended to all Kanwar committees in previous years.
🗣️ MLA Kuldeep Kumar’s Testimony:
“The Kanwar camp at Kondli Pul, serving thousands of Shiva devotees, was dismantled by police. This is nothing but political vendetta. Even after ministers promised us nothing would change, the new policy has been imposed in total disregard.”
He alleged that the BJP is trying to gain control over Delhi’s religious institutions, just as it has done with investigative agencies and constitutional bodies.
⚠️ “This is goondaism in the name of governance”:
Kuldeep Kumar warned that the government’s actions are paving the way for corruption and scams, calling it a dangerous precedent.
“Don’t invite the curse of Bholenath by playing politics with Kanwar Seva,” he said.
🕉️ Background:
The Kanwar Yatra, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage, involves thousands of devotees collecting holy water from the Ganges and walking to offer it to Lord Shiva. Traditionally, the Delhi government has provided logistical support to aid the devotees and ensure smooth operations of camps throughout the region.
📌 What’s Next?
With just 13 days left before the Kanwar Jal on July 23, many committees remain uncertain about support, raising serious concerns about the safety, welfare, and logistics for lakhs of participating devotees.