Hindus, Muslims join hands for kanwariyas’ welfare

AGRA: Several Muslims joined hands with Hindu neighbours and friends to lay down a 500-metre red carpet to welcome kanwariyas carrying holy water from Haridwar in Purkazi town of Muzaffarnagar. Lights adorn the 15-km route, along which relief centres and medical camps were set up.
The Purkazi Nagar Panchayat decorated the border area between Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where millions of kanwariyas — from Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana — typically enter.Zaheer Farooqui, chairman of Purkazi, who made the arrangements, said, "Members of both communities and officials are welcoming kanwariyas with flower petals."
He added, "Purkazi Nagar Panchayat has made elaborate arrangements for pilgrims. There are several mobile toilets, especially for women, and water tankers are stationed at various places."
At Minakshi Chowk in Muzaffarnagar, members of the minority community distributed fruits and water to kanwariyas. Faizu Rehman said, "We have come to spread love and trust.” Dr Shoaib Alam, who has set up a medical camp, said, "The camp will run for two days to give medicines free of cost to kanwariyas.”