'Spit Jihad' must not recur: Uttarakhand CM Dhami issues strict orders ahead of Kanwar Yatra; food hygiene under scanner

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the annual Kanwar Yatra, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday reviewed preparations in Haridwar and directed officials to prevent any repeat of incidents labelled as " spit jihad ", a term controversially used by BJP leaders to describe alleged instances of food tampering during previous yatras.

“Efforts are on to ensure that the Kanwariyas coming to Haridwar return with a good experience. Incidents of 'spit jihad' have happened during the Kanwar Yatra earlier. I have asked officials to ensure they are not repeated,” Dhami told reporters after a high-level review meeting with officials.

What is ‘Spit Jihad’?
The term gained traction after videos emerged in past years showing individuals allegedly spitting into food, one at a roadside dhaba while preparing rotis and another involving a fruit vendor reportedly spitting on apples. These videos triggered outrage and communal tensions, prompting crackdowns in several parts of the country.

To counter such incidents, the Uttarakhand government has directed all dhaba, restaurant, hotel, and roadside eatery owners along the Kanwar Yatra route to prominently display their food licenses, with the goal of ensuring hygienic practices and accountability.

Yatra guidelines and safety measures
The Kanwar Yatra, a two-week-long pilgrimage beginning next week, will see thousands of Shiva devotees from across the country arrive in Haridwar to collect holy Ganga water.

While extending a warm welcome to all Kanwariyas, CM Dhami also urged pilgrims to follow the yatra guidelines. “They shouldn’t cause sound pollution by playing loud DJs. They should also keep the Kanwar size within prescribed limits,” he added.