
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday showered flower petals on Kanwar pilgrims from a helicopter during an aerial survey of NH-58 in Meerut. He then spent 30 minutes interacting with…
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday showered flower petals on Kanwar pilgrims from a helicopter during an aerial survey of NH-58 in Meerut. He then spent 30 minutes interacting with devotees on the ground. The visit coincided with the busiest phase of the annual Kanwar Yatra.

Addressing a press conference, the CM said 4 to 4.5 crore devotees are expected to offer holy water by Sawan Shivratri. He welcomed pilgrims and stressed social unity and national integration. The Meerut administration and police had completed multi-layered security arrangements for the event, with rehearsals held beforehand, Hindustan Times reported.

The CM's aerial flower-shower and ground interaction will be called a publicity stunt by some, but the state's logistics and security preparations for crores of pilgrims are real and necessary. The real test is not the photo op but the smooth, safe passage of Kanwariyas through western UP over the next fortnight. Will the administration maintain zero-traffic corridors and prevent communal mischief as well as it arranged a helicopter welcome? That question will answer whether the spectacle served devotion or just politics.
Sources (2): hindustantimes.com, hindustantimes.com (2)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.