LUCKNOW: A day after the Uttar Pradesh government’s guidelines over display of nameplates on all eateries falling on the Kanwar Yatra route across the state, a group of Kanwariyas -- Lord Shiva devotees heading to Haridwar to collect water from the Ganga -- ransacked an eatery after finding onion in their curry in Muzaffarnagar on Friday.
The kanwariyas from neighbouring Haryana stopped at an eatery -- Tau Hukkewalah Haryanvi Tourist Dhaba -- on the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway to have lunch in Muzaffarnagar district of western UP. While having meals, they happened to find onion slices in the curry served to them. Agitated over the incident, the kanwariyas not only assaulted the dhaba workers but also ransacked the furniture and the refrigerator in the dhaba. They targeted the chef of the eatery too but he ran away.
Local police had to intervene to pacify the agitated Kanwariyas. Reacting to the incident, Chapar Police Station SHO Rogent Tyagi said that since the devotees of Lord Shiva consume simple satvik food without onion and garlic during the Sawan especially while being on the Kanwar Yatra, they got agitated on finding onion slices in the curry.
Dhaba owner Pramod Kumar said it happened due to confusion as he was not aware that even onions were not consumed by Kanwariyas. However, one of the Kanwariyas claimed that despite having asked the cook if the preparation was without onion and garlic and being assured about it, they found onion slices in the curry.
He told media persons that Kanwariyas avoid consuming onion and garlic till offering the holy water to Lord Shiva in their village temple.
Raju Kumar Sab, Deputy SP (Sadar), said it would be ensured that the devotees did not face any hassle either while walking on the road or having food.
It may be recalled that the state government, while issuing the guidelines over display of nameplates, had made it clear that the move was aimed at ruling out any confusion among the Kanwariyas and eateries over the food they should be served.