India, July 16 -- Amid recent incidents of violence reported during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra, the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP) on Tuesday appealed to devotees to uphold the spiritual sanctity of the age-old pilgrimage and refrain from actions that undermine its religious significance.

According to data from the Mela Police Force Control Room, over 170 kanwariyas have been booked under charges such as hooliganism, rioting, blocking highways, obstructing police officials, breach of peace, and wrongful restraint, among others, in just five days since the Kanwar Yatra began on July 11.

ABAP president Mahant Ravindra Puri expressed dismay at the increasing reports of violence and said the yatra is about "compassion" and not "aggres...