In a major step towards enhancing security and promoting gender-sensitive policing, the Uttar Pradesh government has deployed over 10,000 women police personnel for the ongoing Kanwar Yatra 2025. With an expected participation of nearly 70 lakh female devotees, the move aims to ensure a safe, orderly, and harassment-free environment throughout the month-long religious pilgrimage.
The Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage in which devotees of Lord Shiva—known as Kanwariyas—carry holy water from the Ganges and travel to various Shiva temples, draws millions from across northern India. This year, officials estimate a record turnout of over 7 crore pilgrims, including a significant number of women participants.
To manage this scale and ensure the safety of female devotees, the Uttar Pradesh Police, in coordination with state and central agencies, has implemented a robust security framework. More than 10,000 women officers have been strategically posted along sensitive routes, major camps, and rest areas. The deployment includes women constables, sub-inspectors, and senior officers, many trained in handling crowd control, emergencies, and women’s grievance redressal.
Key Security Measures:
- All-women help desks: Special help desks manned exclusively by women officers have been set up at major Kanwar camps to assist female devotees with inquiries, complaints, or medical needs.
- Surveillance and patrolling: Drone surveillance, CCTV monitoring, and foot patrolling by female units are being conducted round the clock at major congregation points.
- Pink toilets and sanitation: Gender-specific amenities such as pink toilets and private bathing areas have been arranged along key routes.
- Rapid response teams: Dedicated women rapid action teams are stationed to respond swiftly to distress calls or security breaches.
- Awareness campaigns: Police are also running awareness drives, educating devotees about women’s helplines, safety apps, and reporting mechanisms in case of any untoward incident.
Additional emphasis has been placed on women’s safety in night-time movements, with illuminated corridors, mobile vans, and security volunteers deployed for extra vigilance.
Context and Significance:
This proactive initiative aligns with the state government’s broader mission to empower women and create a safer public environment. With increasing female participation in religious and public gatherings, law enforcement has had to rethink traditional crowd management strategies. This marks a shift towards inclusive policing, where gender-specific risks are actively addressed.
Officials from the Uttar Pradesh Home Department stated that similar initiatives could be replicated during other major events, such as the Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela. The state is also leveraging the Yatra as a pilot project for deploying body-worn cameras, GPS tracking for patrolling units, and integrated control rooms.
