Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Indian Express Kanwar Yatra column sparks secularism debate
A big group of Hindu pilgrims called Kanwariyas walk a long way every year to carry holy water home during a festival called Sawan.
This year, a newspaper called The Indian Express said something about that walk.
The newspaper said the government is helping the pilgrims too much and that is not fair in a country with many religions.
Another article disagreed with the newspaper and said helping pilgrims is a nice thing to do.
It said the government also helps people from other religions, like people going on the Haj trip.
The argument is also about food.
The government stopped shops near the walk from selling meat, and some people think that is unfair.
Some shops were also asked to show who owns them, and that caused more arguing.
One side says showing the owner's name is good because it is honest.
The other side says it is a way to hurt some shop owners.
People in India are still deciding what is fair and unfair about all of this.
On 11 August, The Indian Express ran an opinion piece by Aakash Joshi headlined “The problem isn’t the kanwar yatra. It’s a patronising state.”
The column argued that BJP governments since 2014 have tried to “facilitate” Kanwariyas, undermining India’s secular foundations and patronising believers.
It criticised the 2023 decision by BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to ban non-vegetarian food sales along the Kanwar Yatra route.
The column described orders for shopkeepers to display proprietor names as “a dog whistle to food segregation” against minority-owned businesses.
A rebuttal article accused The Indian Express of “peddling Muslim victimhood”, noting government facilitation also extends to Haj pilgrims and Iftar events.
- Who
- Aakash Joshi, columnist for The Indian Express; Kanwariyas (Hindu pilgrims); the BJP governments of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand; and the author of the rebuttal article
- What
- A debate over whether state facilitation of the Kanwar Yatra undermines India's secularism
- When
- 11 August, the last day of that year's Kanwar Yatra
- Where
- India, along the Kanwar Yatra route through Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand
- Why
- The Indian Express column argues government support for the Hindu pilgrimage is patronising and unsecular; the rebuttal calls such criticism biased and one-sided
Liberal-secular view
Hindu nationalist view
State facilitation of the Kanwar Yatra
Liberal-secular view
Since 2014, governments have tried to 'facilitate' yatris, undermining the secular foundations of the Union of India and patronising believers; floral showers deify pilgrims in bad faith.
Hindu nationalist view
Floral showers are a cultural sign of respect; the same critics never object when governments facilitate Haj, fund pilgrimages, or organise Iftar parties.
Non-vegetarian food ban along the route
Liberal-secular view
The 2023 ban on non-vegetarian food sales along the Yatra route in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand imposes assumed taboos and prejudices.
Hindu nationalist view
Kanwariyas observe a Sattvic diet during Sawan and avoid non-veg eateries; enforcing food compatibility is legitimate, while Muslim shopkeepers are arrested for violations.
Displaying shop proprietor names
Liberal-secular view
Ordering eateries to display proprietor names is 'a dog whistle to food segregation and against minority-owned and run businesses.'
Hindu nationalist view
The order applies to all vendors equally and is basic transparency; Muslim-run shops have been caught using Hindu deity names or spitting on food.
- Original column
- "The problem isn't the kanwar yatra. It's a patronising state"
- Original columnist
- Aakash Joshi
- Original publisher
- The Indian Express
- Date
- 11 August (last day of the Kanwar Yatra)
- Non-vegetarian food ban
- 2023, by BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand
- Proprietor name order
- Shopkeepers and eateries along the Yatra route must display owner names
- Core accusation
- The Indian Express is accused of 'peddling Muslim victimhood' over the Kanwar Yatra
- Rebutting position
- Floral showers and food compatibility rules are legitimate; similar facilitation for Haj and Iftar is never criticised