UP govt sanctioned ₹14 lakh for chopper from which top cops showered petals on kanwariyas

The Uttar Pradesh Home department in a government order issued on August 5 sanctioned ₹14,21,163 for hiring helicopters from Messers Air Charter Private Limited for aerial surveillance of the Basti- Gorakhpur route and Meerut zone during the ongoing kanwar yatra.

The Uttar Pradesh Home department in a government order issued on August 5 sanctioned ₹14,21,163 for hiring helicopters from Messers Air Charter Private Limited for aerial surveillance of the Basti-Gorakhpur route and Meerut zone during the ongoing kanwar yatra.

Meerut district magistrate Anil Dhingra (left) and Meerut SSP Rajesh Kumar Pandey prepare to sprinkle rose petals over kanwariyas. (AFP)

Incidentally, footage showing top police officials showering rose petals on kanwariyas from the chopper has triggered a major controversy.

In a letter to the additional director general, police headquarter, Allahabad, special secretary to the state government Abhisek Prasad said the helicopter has been hired for two days — August 8 and 9 — for aerial surveillance of the pilgrimage.

“The governor has given his approval to the proposal on the condition that money will be utilised according to financial rules and orders of the state government. The unutilised fund will be deposited in the state government treasury. If any misuse is detected, the police headquarter will be held responsible,” he said.

Watch: ADG of UP police throws flowers at Kanwariyas from helicopters

On Thursday, however, officials involved in showering rose petals on kanwariyas defended the act, saying it should not be given a religious angle.

“No religious angle should be given to this; flowers are used to welcome people. The administration respects all religions and actively takes part even in Guru Purab, Eid or Jain festivals,” said Prashant Kumar, additional director general (ADGP) of Meerut zone.

Kumar, along with commissioner Anita Meshram, Meerut district magistrate Anil Dhengra and SSP Rajesh Kumar Pandey, had showered flowers on kanwariyas on the Meerut route, while Saharanpur commissioner CP Tripathi, DIG Sharad Sachan, DM Alok Kumar Pandey and SSP Upendra Agarwal had also done the same in their respective district and range.