Ahmedabad’s Rath Yatra: An opportunity for amity

Policing initiatives have helped make Ahmedabad’s annual event a celebration of harmony and brotherhood

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Systematic efforts have transformed this annual event into a platform of unity and brotherhood. While leaders of both communities appeal to people to come together, the police department too leaves no stone unturned in preparing for this event. (Express Photo)

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The 146th Rath Yatra will take place in Ahmedabad today. This annual event is witnessed by nearly 20 lakh people and includes 18 elephants, 101 trucks, 30 akharas, bhajan mandalis, and the three raths of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balbhadra traversing along an 18-km route in the heart of the walled city of Ahmedabad. These numbers reflect the magnitude of the event and the unique policing challenges it poses.

The Rath Yatra, a tradition which dates back to 1878, bore the consequences of national events with communal clashes breaking out in 1946, 1985, 1986 and 1992. In 1985, considering the charged atmosphere, permission to conduct the annual event was denied by the police commissioner, but the Yatra was forcibly taken out, ultimately leading to stone pelting and larger communal violence all across the state. Such is its significance that even today, any untoward incident during the event has larger and year-round ramifications across Gujarat.

To start with, the entire route of the Yatra is mapped and access controlled. Every place of worship is visited by the local police and liaison established with their preachers. Regular surveillance is carried out using drones and the police also keep an eye out for suspicious movements of strangers, with special drives carried out to nab known anti-socials. The crime branch keeps a strict watch on any illegal arms and ammunition coming inside the city and the anti-terrorist squad keeps an eye on terrorist activity. The cyber crime team monitors social media to tackle fake news and rumour mongering. On the day of the Yatra, over 26,000 policemen are present all along the route to ensure that the event goes smoothly and safely.

This annual event is much more than a bandobast for the police. Its popularity offers a unique opportunity to strengthen social bonds and build communal harmony. To achieve this, various social policing efforts were carried out this year.

The efforts began with blood donation camps in the walled city about a month ago. People, irrespective of their religious and communitarian affiliations, came out in huge numbers and donated blood as a symbol of their unity and solidarity.

Ahmedabad police also reached out to women via Mahila Mohalla meetings, chaired by female senior police officers. Women in households are quick to notice if a regular vegetable or local vendor misses a day or has changed. This remarkable awareness is crucial for social policing and hence the women were asked to become the eyes and ears of the police. The police also connected with the youth by organising the Ekta Cup Night Cricket Tournament. Teams were composed of youth from both communities.

On the technological side, a 3D virtual map of the route has been prepared using the graphics tool, Unreal Engine. This will enable better situational awareness to tackle not just law and order but also medical emergencies in real time. Body cameras worn by the police department will be used and live footage transmitted to the control room. The vast CCTV network will keep a watch on all suspicious movements. An Anti-Drone System is also being deployed to overcome the challenges of any unauthorised flying object.

From a challenge, the Rath Yatra has transformed into an opportunity. It has enabled the police to not just come closer to the people but also play an enabling role in bringing different communities closer.

I have traversed the narrow lanes of old Ahmedabad innumerable times. Interspersed with traditional homes, seeped in cultural and historical heritage, the walled city is a reminder of the Amdavadi way of life. Ten days hence, the same streets will celebrate the festival of Eid.
The Rath Yatra has become a shining example of not just the success of Gujarat police but of its society. Gone are the days when such festivals and events marked communal and social unrest. These are now occasions when chants of “ekta” (unity) rise above all.

Ahmedabad’s Rath Yatra: An opportunity for amity

Policing initiatives have helped make Ahmedabad’s annual event a celebration of harmony and brotherhood

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