Aligarh Man Arrested For Offering Beer To Kanwariyas On Shivratri. Video Goes Viral

The man can be seen giving beer to a group of pilgrims as they walk on a busy road.

Screengrab of a viral video of a man offering beer to a group of pilgrims on a busy road. ( Image Source :Twitter/@sirajnoorani )

New Delhi: A video that went viral on social media of a man handing out "beer" to Lord Shiva devotees who were participating in the Kanwar Yatra on the occasion of Maha Shivratri led to the arrest of a man in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. The man is giving beer to a group of pilgrims as they walk on a busy road. It is seen that a few of them come forward and take beer cans that are being given out.

The man has been identified as Yogesh, according to the news agency ANI. The man was taken away with a motorcycle and 14 beer cans, according to the Aligarh circle officer (CO). The officer added, "The excise department is also taking action against the liquor outlet owner for selling beer in excess quantity to the person."

In UP's Aligarh, several videos of a man offering beer to #Kanwariyas on the road has surfaced. An FIR under relevant sections of excise act has been registered.#UttarPradesh #viral2023 #ViralVideos #india pic.twitter.com/6LhgIMyY9n

— Siraj Noorani (@sirajnoorani) February 17, 2023

People quickly voiced their opinions on the internet. While some people wondered why the man was arrested for providing the Kanwariyas with beer, others wondered why anyone would accept these beverages on their way to pray.

“Is it prohibited? Because there are many videos where the Kanwariyas showed ganja (cannabis) in their possession and consuming on camera. Beer is just another medium of intoxication I think," a user wrote.

Another asked, “Why only arrest those who offer beer to Kanwariyas? A case should also be filed against people who accept beer. And who consumes liquor while on their way to offer prayers?"

“Is it illegal to offer beer? I understand you need a license to sell. If Kanwariyas want it then what is anyone’s problem?” read a tweet.

The annual pilgrimage known as the Kanwar Yatra is made by devotees of Lord Shiva. These devotees, who are referred to as "Kanwariyas," go to places like Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri in Uttarakhand, as well as Sultanganj in Bihar, to obtain the holy water of the Ganges and then use that water to worship the God.