Yogi Adityanath Extends Directive To All Kanwar Yatra Routes - Eateries Must Display Owners' Names

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has extended a directive initially issued in Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, and Shamli to all Kanwar Yatra routes across the state, requiring eateries, shops, and food carts to display their owners' names.

The directive aims to avoid confusion among pilgrims during the Kanwar Yatra, reported Hindustan Times.

Photo Credit: PTI

The move has sparked controversy, with opposition parties and some members of the ruling alliance accusing it of targeting Muslim traders.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sharply criticised the directive, stating, "The Indian Constitution allows every citizen for no discrimination on the basis of caste, religion, language or other factors. But this move to force display their names on carts, eateries, and shops is a direct attack on our constitution."

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) state president Ramashish Rai also called the move unconstitutional and demanded its withdrawal.

A UP government spokesperson confirmed that a formal order is likely to be issued soon. He said that the directive ensures participants of the procession are not disturbed and added that the order will be implemented on all Kanwar Yatra routes in the state.

The spokesperson also mentioned action against those selling and promoting Halal-certified products, continuing the government's stance from November 2023 against mandatory Halal certification for certain products.

Muzaffarnagar Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishek Singh explained that the directive was voluntary to avoid conflicts between shopkeepers and kanwariyas.

He noted, "Pilgrims often avoid eating at non-vegetarian joints and that is why these directives were issued. As pilgrims buy food from roadside eateries, the appeal was issued to avoid any confusion, so that no allegations and counter-allegations could be made, and no law-and-order situation arose later."

Criticism also came from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati, who warned that the move could disturb communal harmony, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who called for judicial intervention.

Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) state secretary Sudhakar Yadav labeled the directive as "damaging to communal harmony, divisive, untouchability-oriented and unconstitutional," urging its immediate withdrawal.

In defense of the directive, State BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi claimed, "Social organisations of western Uttar Pradesh have complained that restaurant owners and street vendors hide their real identity and use fake names. Kanwariyas follow some rituals to maintain sanctity during the entire Kanwar Yatra. They prefer eating in outlets that are neat and clean and offer pure vegetarian food."

He also cited compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and the Street Vendors Act 2014, asserting that the controversy is politically motivated.