The Uttar Pradesh government has firmly opposed the petitions challenging its directive requiring eateries to display the names of owners along the Kanwar Yatra route, stating that it was issued to ensure a peaceful and orderly pilgrimage.
In a detailed submission to the Supreme Court, the state government explained that the order was issued in response to complaints received from Kanwariyas regarding confusion caused by the names of the shops and eateries.
“Past incidents have shown that misunderstandings regarding the type of food being sold have led to tensions and disturbances. The directives are a proactive measure to avoid such situations,” it said, India Today reported.
The state government added that the order doesn’t impose any ban on the trade or business of food sellers – barring restrictions on the sale of non-veg food – and that shopkeepers are “free to conduct their business as usual”. The directive to display the names of owners is “merely an additional measure” to ensure transparency and keep any potential confusion at bay.
The state government also stated in its submission that even “small confusions” related to the food Kanwariyas are served has the potential to “hurt their religious sentiments and can 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 state government told the top court.
Also Read: Yogi Adityanath’s diktat for eateries on Kanwar routes across UP to display owners’ names
Earlier on July 22, the Supreme Court temporarily stayed the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government’s diktat making the display of owners’ name on eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route mandatory. The directive was stayed till Friday (July 26).
The petitions were filed after police in UP’s Muzaffarnagar asked all food joints along the route to prominently display names of 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 cops said. Later, the directive was issued for the entire state.
The opposition slammed the directive along with at least three allies of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose support at the centre is crucial to the BJP, and union ministers Jayant Chaudhary (Rashtriya Lok Dal) and Chirag Paswan (Lok Janshakti Party).
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi claimed that this move was to ensure no ‘Kanwariya’ buys anything from a Muslim owner’s shop.
Devotees across the nation began their Kanwar Yatra on July 22, on the occasion of the first Monday of ‘Sawan’.