The Uttar Pradesh government has strongly defended its directive requiring eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners. The state government emphasized that this measure was necessary to ensure a peaceful and orderly pilgrimage.
In a detailed submission to the Supreme Court, the Uttar Pradesh government explained that the order was issued in response to complaints from Kanwariyas, who reported confusion caused by the names of the shops and eateries. The government clarified that the directive does not impose any ban on the trade or business of food sellers, except for restrictions on the sale of non-vegetarian food. Shopkeepers are free to conduct their business as usual, with the name display being an additional measure to ensure transparency and avoid potential confusion.
The state government further stated that even minor confusions regarding the food served to Kanwariyas have the potential to hurt their religious sentiments and could lead to flare-ups, especially in a communally sensitive region like Muzaffarnagar. “It is imperative to take preventive measures that ensure a peaceful and harmonious pilgrimage,” the government told the Supreme Court.
Earlier, on July 22, the Supreme Court temporarily stayed the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government’s directive, making the display of owners’ names on eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route mandatory. The stay is in effect until Friday, July 26.
The directive was initially enforced after police in Muzaffarnagar asked all food joints along the route to prominently display the names of their owners. “This is being done to ensure there is no confusion among Kanwariyas, and no allegations are raised in the future, leading to a law and order situation,” the police stated. The directive was subsequently extended to the entire state.
The opposition and several allies of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have criticized the directive. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose support is crucial to the BJP at the center, along with union ministers Jayant Chaudhary (Rashtriya Lok Dal) and Chirag Paswan (Lok Janshakti Party), have opposed the measure. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi claimed that the move was intended to ensure no Kanwariya buys anything from a Muslim-owned shop.
Devotees across the nation commenced their Kanwar Yatra on July 22, marking the first Monday of ‘Sawan’. The pilgrimage, which sees millions of devotees carrying holy water from the Ganges to offer at Shiva temples, has always been a significant event, necessitating measures to maintain peace and order.
The Supreme Court’s final decision on the directive is awaited, with many watching closely how it will balance religious sensitivities and communal harmony in the state.
