Minors seen waving firearms at Siddharthnagar procession

Minors and other young participants were seen waving rifles, pistols and swords during a Vijayadashami procession in Shohratgarh, in Uttar Pradesh’s Siddharthnagar district, on Tuesday, October 20, according to India Today. Police personnel and elected representatives were present at the gathering.

The programme began around 10 am with a traditional weapons worship ceremony at the Ram Janaki Temple. Domariyaganj MP Jagdambika Pal, local MLA Vinay Verma and thousands of residents attended. During the subsequent procession, some participants danced to DJ music while holding swords.

The procession travelled along the town’s main road and through Gadhakul, Bharat Mata Chowk, Tiranga Chowk, Sonari Mohalla and Nibi Dohani before returning to the temple.

Pal explains ritual’s significance; safety questions remain

Speaking at the event, Pal described weapons worship as a longstanding Vijayadashami observance representing society’s protection and resistance to injustice. He linked the ritual to Lord Ram’s victory over Ravana and the festival’s message of truth and justice prevailing over wrongdoing.

Pal said residents brought weapons kept in their homes together for worship before proceeding through Shohratgarh. Elected representatives, social workers and people from surrounding villages joined the celebrations, which he said also included the customary burning of Ravana’s effigy.

The reported handling of firearms and swords by minors raises a distinct question of child and crowd safety, separate from the ritual’s religious significance. The report does not establish whether the firearms were loaded or licensed, and gives no police explanation or account of enforcement action. Pal’s remarks addressed the tradition rather than specifically responding to minors’ handling of weapons.