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The move has drawn significant criticism from BJP allies and opposition parties. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have led the charge against this order.
NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued an order on Friday requiring all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners outside their establishments. This directive, which includes restaurants, roadside dhabas, and food carts, aims to protect the sanctity and interests of the religious pilgrims.
The move has drawn significant criticism from BJP allies and opposition parties. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have led the charge against this order. RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary demanded the UP government retract the directive, stating that the Kanwar pilgrimage is not tied to any specific religion or caste. It doesn’t appear to be a well-thought-out decision. There is still time to roll it back, or the government should not put much emphasis on implementing it.
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NCP leader Praful Patel also called for the order’s withdrawal, emphasising the need for amendment. “These steps have been taken for the first time given the Kanwar Yatra. It needs amendment. The UP government needs to take it back,” Patel asserted after attending an all-party meeting.
Other BJP allies, including Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and union minister Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), have also voiced their disapproval of the directive. This backlash follows an earlier order by the Muzaffarnagar police, which was met with similar opposition and was subsequently withdrawn. The controversy highlights the tension between administrative measures and religious practices.
Other BJP allies, including Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and union minister Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), have also voiced their disapproval of the directive. These parties argue that the order is unnecessary and disrupts the traditional spirit of the Kanwar Yatra.
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In addition to the nameplate requirement, the UP government announced that it would take action against individuals or businesses involved in selling products with Halal certification. This move has further fueled the controversy and criticism from various quarters.
Several NGOs run by the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh have decided against setting up their annual relief camps for kanwariyas this year due to the controversy. These camps have traditionally provided food, shelter, medical aid, and even foot massages to the pilgrims walking long distances along roads and highways.
Despite the widespread opposition, the UP government maintains that the order is necessary to uphold the integrity and security of the Kanwar Yatra.
