Congress Leader Vikramaditya Singh Reprimanded By Party Over ID Rule For Eateries

Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh was called to Delhi and reprimanded by senior Congress leaders over a controversial order from his department, which required food outlets across the state to display the name and address of their owners.

The Congress faced backlash on social media and within the party, as it had previously criticized a similar directive by the Uttar Pradesh government during the Kanwar Yatra.

Sources informed that Vikramaditya Singh, who heads the Public Works and Urban Development ministry, has been advised to refrain from making controversial statements on this issue, reported India Today.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was reportedly displeased with Singh.

The Himachal Urban Development Ministry's directive was also criticised by Congress leader TS Singh Deo, who described it as a discriminatory and reprehensible action.

"I don't understand why it should be done. Because the Uttar Pradesh government took a decision during Kanwar Yatra, why do we have to name an individual's shop? Don't understand the logic behind it. You are not selling the individual, you are selling the brand. There is absolutely no necessity to name a person," the former Chhattisgarh DyCM said.

AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam accused the Congress of adopting the BJP's approach, stating that the party was now spreading hatred. He compared it to the "UP model," referencing Yogi Adityanath's mandate requiring eateries to display the names of their operators and managers.

Islam remarked, "What is the difference left between the BJP and the Congress? The BJP always spreads hatred. The Congress is also following the same line, instigating fights between Hindus and Muslims. It is unfortunate that Congress is also adopting the Uttar Pradesh model."

The Congress also received criticism online, with users accusing the party of "hypocrisy."

The party's predicament stems from its strong condemnation of a similar order from the Uttar Pradesh government in July, which required eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display owner names. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera had called the move "state-sponsored bigotry."