Ahead of the Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra scheduled for July 14, the district and police administration in Haryana’s Nuh Wednesday held a meeting with members of peace committees, sarpanches and panchayat representatives from various villages to ensure a peaceful and harmonious procession.
Meanwhile, cow vigilante Bittu Bajarangi, who has been banned from the yatra after he was made an accused in the 2023 Nuh communal clashes, has claimed he has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking permission to participate.
“I am a citizen and believer in Sanatan, not a terrorist or notorious criminal that I should be stopped. If the High Court says no, we will see and comply,” Bajrangi told The Indian Express.
A police spokesperson said they are not aware of any such development as of now, but have received a similar representation so far from a ‘gau rakshak’ group.
On Wednesday, Vishram Kumar Meena, Deputy Commissioner, Nuh, and Rajesh Kumar, Superintendent of Police, held the meeting to ensure a successful, safe, and harmonious yatra.
Unlike last year, when mobile internet was banned as a precautionary measure to prevent clashes, Meena said there are no such plans as of now. “There is no plan for any ban. The yatra will be conducted peacefully. We have been meeting and coordinating with peace committees,” Meena told The Indian Express.
Meena said peace, harmony, and cooperation are key to holding such large events in a foolproof manner.
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He added that the religious procession is a symbol of public faith and trust, and it is the collective responsibility of all to conduct it with dignity, peace, and brotherhood.
He urged panchayat representatives to cooperate with the administration in maintaining social harmony in their respective areas, and to immediately report any rumours or anti-social activities to authorities.
The Nuh deputy commissioner said parking facilities will be arranged at various locations for the convenience of devotees participating in the yatra on July 14, from where they will be transported to Nallhareshwar Temple by buses. He said the district administration is fully vigilant and proactive, with necessary instructions issued to all relevant departments.
Nuh SP Kumar said the district police will remain fully prepared to maintain law and order. “Additional forces will be deployed in sensitive areas, with complete monitoring of all routes, route marches, and other security measures ensured,” he said.
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He appealed to residents and participants not to spread or allow others to spread misleading or provocative content on social media, or believe in rumours and unverified information. “If anyone does not cooperate in this regard, they should inform the district and police administration immediately.”
A district administration spokesperson said that the panchayat representatives present at the meeting assured the administration of their full cooperation, including their opposition to any anti-social activities.
Meena and Kumar also inspected the designated route for the Jalabhishek Yatra, and directed officials to ensure safety, cleanliness, traffic management, essential emergency services along the route, apart from ensuring police deployment, drone camera surveillance, and crowd management.
In 2023, violence had broken out during the yatra, during which six people, including Bajrang Dal members and a cleric at a mosque in Gurgaon, were killed.
