By – Prakarsh Kastwar
The remarks by Haryana’s chief minister came just days after the VHP and Bajrang Dal insisted on carrying out their planned rally.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday requested that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal cancel their planned Jalabhishek Yatra in Nuh on August 28 and instead encourage people to pray in local temples.
Following the two parties’ insistence that they would proceed with their planned procession despite the Nuh district administration refusing to grant them permission for the yatra, Khattar made his comments. At least six persons were killed in communal violence that broke out in other parts of Haryana after a procession was attacked on July 31 in Nalhar village in Nuh.
On Sunday, Khattar stated, “Since there was a law-and-order situation during the yatra last month, permission to carry this yatra was not given.” He was speaking on the sidelines of a program in Panchkula. The authorities have previously asked the organizers and followers to refrain from organizing a similar yatra in the future and suggested that they carry out poojas in nearby temples instead, which is customary during the Sawan month.
On August 28, the Haryana police likewise advised people against traveling to Nuh. The police issued a warning on X (previously Twitter) stating that “Permission has not been granted by the district administration of Nuh for the Jalabhishek Yatra in the district on August 28.”
Anil Vij, the home minister for Haryana, has stated that the state police is on high alert to uphold peace and order.
The Haryana government has prohibited the gathering of four or more individuals in Nuh in light of the yatra and suspended mobile internet access as a precaution.