# Gen Z Kanwariyas blend religious devotion with career goals 2026-08-10T12:57:46+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Lakhs of young pilgrims are walking the Kanwar Yatra, balancing faith with sharp awareness of education and employment issues. In Varanasi, 19-year-old BCA student Bhagwant Upadhyay wants to become a cybersecurity expert. He knows about the NEET paper leak protests but insists he is focused on his goal. In Ghaziabad, 18-year-old Abhay Tomar, a first-time kanwariya without a smartphone, says his vote will depend on whether students get facilities on time. Both The Federal and Hindustan Times report that many Gen Z pilgrims condemn unruly behaviour by fellow kanwariyas and demand better schooling, even as they chant “Har Har Mahadev.” The yatra, which peaks around Shrawan Shivratri on August 11, has become a state-sponsored spectacle in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with flower petals from helicopters and mandatory name-display at eateries. Former minister Yashwant Sinha told The Federal that the government has politicised the pilgrimage for vote-bank gains. Yet the young pilgrims themselves, across both reports, prioritise concrete improvements in education and opportunities over religious symbolism. ## Coverage - thefederal.com - hindustantimes.com Tags: Gen Z, Hindutva politics, Kanwar Yatra, NEET paper leak, Uttar Pradesh elections, Yashwant Sinha Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/gen-z-kanwariyas-balance-faith-jobs-and-anger-over-neet-leak/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/gen-z-kanwariyas-balance-faith-jobs-and-anger-over-neet-leak/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.