Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Four detained for selling non-veg food on Kanwar routes
During a special religious month called Sawan, many people called Kanwariyas walk on a pilgrimage called Kanwar.
Police want the walking routes to be free of non-vegetarian food like meat and chicken.
So they told shop owners along the routes not to sell these foods and warned them of legal action.
But two shops were still selling food made with chicken, like chicken biryani.
Police raided the shops and detained four people.
In one case, a big machine called a JCB was used to remove the shop's tin shed and counter.
Police officer Arun Kumar Singh said the shopkeepers had been warned before.
Police are now watching the Kanwar routes even more closely to stop any more rule-breakers.
The authorities plan to take action according to law if anyone violates the rules again.
Police in Bareilly detained four people after raiding two shops allegedly selling non-vegetarian food along a designated Kanwar pilgrimage route, officials said on Sunday.
The action came amid heightened police and administrative surveillance on Kanwar routes during the ongoing Sawan month.
In the first incident, chicken biryani was being sold at a shop near the old Roadways bus stand in Bahedi, where shopkeepers Salman, a resident of Lodhipur, and Raees were detained.
A JCB was brought to the spot and the shop's tin shed and counter were removed, according to Bahedi Circle Officer Arun Kumar Singh.
Authorities have increased surveillance along the Bareilly-Bahedi route and other major Kanwar routes, warning that further violations would invite action as per law.
- Who
- Police in Bareilly, who detained four traders including Salman of Lodhipur and Raees; Bahedi Circle Officer Arun Kumar Singh oversaw the action.
- What
- Four people were detained and two shops raided for allegedly selling non-vegetarian food, including chicken biryani, along a designated Kanwar pilgrimage route; one shop's tin shed and counter were removed using a JCB.
- When
- During the ongoing Sawan month, with officials confirming the detentions on Sunday.
- Where
- Bareilly, specifically the Bahedi area near the old Roadways bus stand and the bakery area along the Bareilly-Bahedi route.
- Why
- Authorities are enforcing a directive prohibiting the sale of non-vegetarian food along designated Kanwar pilgrimage routes during the Sawan month.
Supporters of the police action
Critics of the police action
Enforcement of route restrictions
Supporters of the police action
Police are enforcing a legitimate directive that traders were warned about in advance, and violations should invite action as per law to maintain order during the pilgrimage.
Critics of the police action
Removing a shop's tin shed and counter with a JCB over food sales is a heavy-handed measure that may disproportionately affect small traders' livelihoods.
Religious route norms
Supporters of the police action
Keeping designated Kanwar pilgrimage routes free of non-vegetarian food respects the religious sentiments of Kanwariyas during the holy Sawan month.
Critics of the police action
Imposing such food restrictions on traders along public routes can be seen as an overreach into private business and dietary choices.
- Location
- Bareilly, Bahedi area along the Bareilly-Bahedi route and other major Kanwar routes
- People detained
- 4
- Shops raided
- 2
- First raid detainees
- Salman, a resident of Lodhipur, and Raees
- Reason for action
- Alleged sale of non-vegetarian food, including chicken biryani, along the Kanwar route
- Context
- Sawan month; heightened police and administrative surveillance on Kanwar routes
- Action taken
- Shop's tin shed and counter removed using a JCB
- Official warning
- Further violations invite action as per law, per Bahedi Circle Officer Arun Kumar Singh
