The second ‘Raj Yogi Snan’ of Simhastha-Parva
Trimbakeshwar-Nasik : Devotees coming for ‘Simhastha-Parva’ from all over India and abroad had bitter experiences with police. At few places, police assisted devotees; though at many places, ‘Sadhus- Mahants’ and devotees are displeased with police because of their rude behaviour.
Police were trying to dissuade devotees from standing in the queue by telling them that it took nearly 10-12 hours for ‘darshan’ in ‘Simhastha-Parva’; therefore, devotees are very unhappy with the attitude of police. It has been observed that throughout Simhasta Parva, police have been trying to pressurize devotees. (Why should Hindus pay taxes for such police ? – Editor, Dainik Sanatan Prabhat)
Bitter experiences of police behavior
1. Lack of coordination and improper planning by police
Police were manhandling devotees at Trimbakeshwar’s Kushawart, Lakshmi Narayan Chowk and Ambedkar Chowk. Owing to lack of coordination between police and improper planning, there was likelihood of stampede on the occasion of second ‘Parvani’ and huge crowd had gathered near Mahadev Temple. At that time, temple’s door was closed. Despite huge crowd, Rs. 200 were charged to devotees who wanted to have immediate ‘darshan’. Devotees were driven out by police; giving excuse of closing of temple doors. Few ‘Sadhus’ from ‘akhadas’ circumambulated outside the temple whereas police kept on announcing that devotees should have ‘darshan’ of the crest of the temple.
2. Male police manhandling lady-devotees !
Police on duty manhandled devotees at many places. Male police caught hands of female devotees and pushed them out. As per law, male police are not allowed to touch women. At many places, number of lady-police was less. The State administration should have provided adequate lady police staff to handle women devotees but that was not done.
3. Police violating laws by creating noise pollution !
At some places, police were unnecessarily blowing whistles creating lot of noise and they violated law related to noise pollution at Kushawart and at other places. The lady staff was making fun of devotees and laughing and giving high-fives to each other whenever police said something to devotees. At one place, devotees brought tea and some snacks for police and after which, police allowed them to go to Kushawart 2-3 times for bath.
4. Police were dividing family groups !
Police were asking members of the same family to take different routes to go to Kushawart; therefore, they used to lose track of each other. Police were not listening to devotees although they pleaded to allow all family members to go together.
Lack of coordination amongst police leading to chaos !
Police were not allowing devotees to sit at Kushawart for chanting. Devotees were angry with police. Despite knowing that millions of devotees were likely to visit ‘Kumbha-Parva’, neither the police nor administrative officers had coordination with each other. There were more of inexperienced staff members from Home Guards and State Reserve Police who did not know how to handle the situation. Police officers were also giving different information to policemen on duty; thus adding to confusion.
Trainee police having no experience of patrolling were posted at ‘Simhastha–Parva’ !
Few policemen said that they were on duty day and night; many policemen were on duty for 36 hours and did not get food, water or sleep on time. 80% trainee policemen posted at ‘Simhastha – Parva’ on duty, had no experience. It seemed that proper instructions were not received by the police.
At one place, a policeman on duty was smoking cigarette at the holy place.
Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat
