Brij Mandal Jalabhishek yatra ends peacefully in Nuh, 'Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb' on display

Nuh (Haryana), Jul 14 (PTI) The Brij Mandal Jalabhishek yatra concluded peacefully on Monday as it passed through Nuh amid tight security arrangements after a mazar was damaged ahead of the yatra the previous night.

As a unique confluence of devotion, faith and social harmony, members of both Hindu and Muslim communities welcomed the procession at more than 60 different points when the yatra passed through the Nuh district.

Many Muslims who welcomed the procession said that Mewat is recognised as a region embodying the 'Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb', a composite culture, with some blaming "outside elements" for the 2023 incident.

On July 31, 2023, six people, including two home guards and a cleric of a Gurugram mosque, were killed in clashes that erupted when a mob attacked a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession in Nuh.

To ensure that all goes well this year, around 2,500 police personnel were deployed this time. All government and private schools in the district remained closed and internet services remain suspended for the day.

The nearly 80-km yatra began at the Nalhar Mahadev temple in Nuh, about 50 km from Gurugram, from where the devotees proceeded to Jhirkeshwar Mahadev temple in Ferozepur Jhirka here. Going via Jhir temple, the yatra ended at Shringeshwar Mahadev temple in Singar village in the evening.

"The yatra concluded smoothly, peacefully and in a cordial atmosphere. I thank everyone for this. I thank all communities in Mewat for this and according warm welcome to devotees by showering flower petals as well as organising committees of the temples for smooth arrangements. The police also ensured necessary arrangements," said Nuh Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena after the yatra concluded.

The deputy commissioner, who was out in the field, took stock of the security, law and order and other arrangements during the yatra.

Earlier, a mazar was damaged ahead of the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek yatra in Nuh's Tauru town, police said on Monday as security was ramped up in the district to ensure there is no repeat of the clashes that broke out during the religious procession two years ago.

The culprits behind the vandalism on Sunday night are unidentified, officials said. After the incident, a large number of police personnel have been deployed at the mazar in Tauru's Sainipura mohalla.

"The administration is taking necessary action in connection with the damage to the mazar in Tauru. It will be ensured that the Jalabhishek yatra is organised in a peaceful and harmonious environment in the district," Nuh DC Meena said earlier in the day.

"There is complete peace there and necessary action is being ensured by the police and district administration in this regard," he said.

Chanting "Har Har Mahadev" and "Bam Bam Bhole", enthusiasm was seen among the devotees on the yatra route as it was also the first Monday of Shravan month.

In addition to deploying security personnel in strength, surveillance through drones was done to ensure that the event passes off smoothly.

Chaudhary Zakir Hussain, former MLA from Nuh and vice-president of the BJP minority morcha, who welcomed the devotees taking part in the yatra, said Mewat is a unique example of 'Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb'.

"Today also that has been displayed in Mewat. In our country, people of all faiths collectively celebrate each other's festivals.

"Devotees were given a warm welcome at multiple points. The administration had also made adequate arrangements for the devotees," Hussain said.

Many women devotees paid their obeisance in the temples.

"Mewat has had a tradition of Hindu-Muslim brotherhood for years, which was clearly visible again in today's event," a devotee said.

Haryana minister Gaurav Gautam and some of the ruling BJP's MLAs also accompanied him and paid obeisance at the Nalhar Mahadev temple.

Deputy Commissioner Meena said the officials had been instructed to make all necessary arrangements in their areas. Duty magistrates and police officers had been deployed everywhere.

Meena said seers from different parts of the country, especially Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana, reached to participate in the yatra.

People from all faiths gave a grand welcome to this yatra at different places on the yatra route.

Nuh's Additional Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Malik said people from all communities had set up welcome gates at different points and showered flower petals on devotees to welcome them.

"This shows the brotherhood and bond which people in the Mewat region shared with one another. Many people are offering their services as volunteers. Today is the first Monday of Shravan month and there is great enthusiasm among devotees," Malik said.

The use of DJs, loudspeakers or sound-amplifying devices with content that is religiously provocative or hurts the sentiments of any community was also strictly prohibited during the yatra, according to an order issued by the authorities.

The carrying of all weapons, including licensed arms, firearms, swords, sticks, tridents, rods, knives and chains, had been banned. Only the sheathed kirpan, worn as a religious symbol by members of the Sikh community, had been exempted.

The district administration had also banned the sale of meat along the yatra route starting Sunday. Meat shops along the Kanwar route are to remain closed till July 24.

The Haryana government on Sunday ordered the suspension of mobile internet, bulk SMS services (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except voice calls, in Nuh district for 24 hours -- from 9 pm on July 13 to 9 pm on July 14. PTI COR SUN VSD KSS KSS