Mule Operators in Kedarnath Clash With Devotees
A viral video has captured a fight that broke out between a few devotees and the horse and mule operators at Kedarnath.
A video that has surfaced on the internet captured a fight that broke out between a few devotees and the horse and mule operators at Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand.
Initially, a horse and mule operator was seen involved in a verbal argument with two people -- one man and a woman. Later, the fight intensified with more persons getting involved in the scene and the use of sticks to hit the devotees. Following the dramatic fight that showed the local operators hitting pilgrims with sticks over an argument, questions over the safety of people travelling there were raised. The video is being shared to claim that horse and mule operators belonging to the Muslim community thrashed Hindu pilgrims at Kedarnath Dham. While the incident is true, the communal angle given to the incident is false.
It was reported that the horse and mule operators who allegedly assaulted the devotees on the Kedarnath Dham route have been identified. The police said that 5 people have been arrested in the matter and they will be punished strictly. The police also said that all those who go to Kedarnath should feel safe. We have ordered everyone to follow the rules and those who misbehave with devotees will be punished.
Since the onset of Kedarnath Yatra on April 25, a total of 16 mules have died. Mules are protected under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The department has also imposed a daily limit of mules on th Kedarnath trek. However since there are so many tourists, it is putting too much pressure on animals which is causing the deaths. Reports say the government may ban use of mules however many people depend on mules for their livelihood. So we will wait to wait and see what the authorities decide. Currently, you can reach the Kedarnath Temple on foot, by mules and by helicopter. Price of 1 mule is Rs 1,500 for one way and for a helicopter is Rs 2,500 one way.
