During the Devra Yatra in Rudraprayag, devotees broke a gate obstructing their procession, leading to chaos and blocking the national highway. Authorities have filed cases against 52 individuals involved in the incident.
India
-Krishna Kripa
In
Uttarakhand’s
Rudraprayag
district,
devotees
involved
in
the
Devra
Yatra
of
Agastyamuni
Maharaj
reportedly
dismantled
a
gate
on
Thursday.
This
gate
was
blocking
their
procession
route,
causing
a
delay
for
several
hours.
The
palanquin
carrying
the
deity
was
stalled,
prompting
this
action,
according
to
officials.
image
During
the
Devra
Yatra
in
Rudraprayag,
devotees
broke
a
gate
obstructing
their
procession,
leading
to
chaos
and
blocking
the
national
highway.
Authorities
have
filed
cases
against
52
individuals
involved
in
the
incident.
The
yatra
commenced
on
Wednesday
from
Maharishi
Agastyamuni’s
temple,
adhering
to
its
usual
schedule.
However,
the
palanquin
encountered
an
obstruction
at
the
local
sports
department’s
gate.
This
led
to
a
chaotic
scene
with
many
devotees
present,
resulting
in
a
blockade
of
the
national
highway
for
hours.
Consequently,
the
deity’s
palanquin
had
to
return
without
completing
its
rituals.
Frustration
Among
Devotees
On
Thursday,
when
the
yatra
resumed,
the
situation
remained
unchanged.
Devotees
waited
until
noon
for
administrative
intervention.
Frustrated
by
the
lack
of
action,
they
allegedly
broke
down
the
gate
to
proceed
with
their
religious
rituals.
This
incident
highlighted
their
growing
impatience
with
the
authorities.
The
Rudraprayag
district
administration
responded
by
taking
legal
action
against
those
involved
in
breaking
the
gate.
Cases
were
filed
against
52
individuals
under
relevant
sections.
Rudraprayag
District
Magistrate
Prateek
Jain
expressed
disappointment
over
the
chaos
despite
prior
arrangements
for
the
yatra.
Administrative
Oversight
Those
associated
with
the
yatra
claimed
they
had
requested
the
district
administration
two
weeks
prior
to
remove
the
obstructing
gate
from
their
traditional
route.
A
follow-up
request
was
made
on
Wednesday,
but
no
action
was
taken
until
Thursday
afternoon
despite
assurances.
This
lack
of
response
heightened
devotees’
frustration,
leading
them
to
remove
the
obstruction
themselves.
The
incident
underscores
tensions
between
religious
practices
and
administrative
protocols
in
managing
public
events.
The
situation
reflects
challenges
faced
by
authorities
in
balancing
religious
traditions
with
public
order.
Ensuring
smooth
conduct
of
such
events
requires
effective
communication
and
timely
intervention
by
local
administrations.
With
inputs
from
PTI
