Many commuters view the Kanwariyas more as late-night DJs playing music on the road than people on a religious journey
Music blasting from giant speakers way past midnight and a group of men dancing to Bollywood songs — this is what Delhiites in many parts of the city are usually faced with during the Kanwar season in July, when saffron-clad Kanwariyas halt in the Capital for the night while making their way to Haridwar.
Kanwar refers to a certain Hindu religious practice wherein participants carry water from a holy source in containers suspended from either side of a pole. While some do take part in the procession peacefully, the number of people guilty of flouting noise pollution norms far exceed them.
“I have sleepless nights the entire month when these Kanwariyas take out their processions. The loudspeakers are third-grade and the screeching volume hurts one’s ears. I just hope the government brings out a policy to reduce the noise they make,” said 65-year-old Shashi Mathur, who lives in Lajpat Nagar.
Many commuters view the Kanwariyas more as late-night DJs playing music on the road than people on a religious journey. “Anyone can join them and they feel that the road is a dance floor. There are no religious sentiments here. It's more like a party with drunk men and deafening music at odd hours. If they want to make God happy, then they should do it quietly,” said a Noida resident who did not wish to be named.
The processions, carried out in the name of Lord Shiva, are meant to be peaceful. But most involve huge loudspeakers and, to add to the noise pollution, a power generator is kept handy so that there are no interruptions in the merry-making.
Delhi Police officers revealed that they do not maintain any data regarding complaints about noise pollution during such religious processions. “If the police is informed about loudspeakers being used beyond the prescribed time limit for religious purposes, we aim to solve the issue by asking the people concerned to lower the noise levels. We do not register a case unless we get a written complaint,” said a senior police officer.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Kanwariyas")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}