Kanpur: Baba ka bulldozer prime attraction at Ganga Mela after BJP's thumping victory

The Baba ka Bulldozer was the centre of attraction at the famous Ganga Mela held today in Kanpur. People raised slogans in support of the BJP after their resounding victory in the Uttar Pradesh election.

The famous Ganga Mela was held in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday where various processions were carried out on camels and tractors. However, what caught everyone’s attention was Baba ka Bulldozer. Raising slogans in support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), people celebrated the party’s thumping victory in the recently-concluded assembly elections.

Baba ka Bulldozer is a reference to action taken by the Yogi Adityanath-led state government to vacate illegally occupied land and properties using heavy machinery. The term gained traction during the election campaign of the state elections and Adityanath was dubbed as Bulldozer Baba by both his supporters and rivals. This is apparently the first time that the Bulldozer Baba has marked its presence at the Ganga Mela, highlighting the working style of Yogi Adityanath.

Hundreds of people took part in the city's historic Ganga Mela that was held at the Sarsaiya Ghat situated on the bank of the Ganges today. Since the mela was held on the Shaheed Diwas, people also paid floral tributes to revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Raj Guru who had sacrificed their lives for the independence of the country.

Saffron colour powder was used in the procession of 'Rango ka Thela' and people were seen playing colours on the streets since morning. They chanted slogans, danced and even sang songs while making their entries on camel and bullock carts.

ALSO READ| After BJP victory in UP, Bulldozer Baba tattoo a craze among Agra’s Muslim youth

Police Commissioner, Kanpur, Vijay Singh Meena and other senior police officials inspected the entire route on Tuesday and took stock of the arrangements. A heavy police force was deployed in the city to ensure that the mela was organised peacefully.

Kanpur DM Neha Sharma, who was present with the police commissioner and other local politicians, told India Today, "The essence of the Ganga Mela is that all people across community and religion come together to celebrate it. On Shaheed Diwas, we are celebrating this festival on the land of revolutionaries. All arrangements are in place from the side of administration."