A government school teacher in Bareilly has been booked for the offence of reciting a poem that seemingly dared to promote education over religious pilgrimage and “blind faith”.

In a 26-second clip, part of a five-minute video, widely circulated online, Rajneesh Gangwar is purportedly heard telling students in Hindi: “Don’t embark on kanwar yatra, light the lamp of knowledge instead. Become true humans by serving humanity.” The remarks triggered a Hindutva backlash on social media, with many interpreting the poem as being critical of the ongoing Kanwar Yatra.

An FIR was filed based on a complaint from an outfit called the Kanwar Seva Samiti, according to The Indian Express. The paper quoted Baheri police SHO Sanjay Tomar as saying that the case was filed under BNS section 353 for statements conducing to public mischief. Gangwar has not been arrested so far and the investigation is on, Tomar told the newspaper.

School principal Ashok Kumar Gangwar told The Times of India, “I was on a two-day leave. The poem was read by the teacher on Saturday during an activity in the school. I received information about this issue over the phone, and a clarification has been sought from the teacher.”

Newslaundry had earlier travelled the Kanwar route from Delhi to Haridwar to see how, in the name of faith, Kanwariyas and Hindutva groups are creating chaos, spreading fear, and flouting the law.

Hindutva groups have allegedly been targeting roadside dhabas and stalls, raising disputes over nameplates and probing the religious identity of owners and workers.

There have also been signs of police inaction. Police stood by as a group of Kanwariyas reportedly vandalised a car in Ghaziabad on Sunday afternoon.

This year’s Kanwar Yatra will conclude on August 9.

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