Kanwar Yatra guidelines: BJP’s Mohsin Raza urges communal harmony, opposition dub it ‘mindless exercise’

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India] July 19 (ANI): In a move aimed at maintaining the sanctity of the Kanwar Yatra, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has mandated that all food and beverage shops along the Kanwar routes in Uttar Pradesh must display nameplates with the name and identity of the owner or operator. This decision is part of a broader initiative to ensure the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage, which begins on July 22.

The directive, which also includes action against shops selling halal-certified products, has received mixed reactions and has sparked political debate.

On Friday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Mohsin Raza supported the move, stating, “Kanwar Yatra takes place on a large scale in UP. CM Yogi Adityanath has always been attentive towards the security of the public.”

“The facilities and management of Kanwar Yatra have always been improved over the last 7 years. This is the 8th year… The government is providing facilities and security. So no one has to hide their name. It also gives a message of harmony… The opposition is trying to oppose the Kanwar Yatra and not this advisory,” Raza further added.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) National General Secretary Trilok Tyagi criticized the directive, saying, “Gandhiji, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and other personalities have spoken about keeping religion and caste behind. Now, politicians are bringing religion and caste forward in politics. I think the action is not correct. Why make someone write their name on street carts? They have the right to work… This tradition is absolutely wrong. It is up to the customer; they can make purchases from wherever they want…”

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Jha called the directive a “mindless exercise,” questioning, “Will they ask the fruits whether they have been grown by a Hindu or Muslim? Will they ask the vegetables who have grown them? This should not be done.”

Janata Dal-United (JDU) leader KC Tyagi noted, “A Kanwar Yatra bigger than this (in UP) takes place in Bihar. No such order is in effect there. These prohibitions that have been imposed are in violation of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ that the PM speaks of. The order is not in effect in Bihar, Rajasthan, or Jharkhand. It would be good if it is reviewed.”

BJP National General Secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam dismissed concerns, stating, “The public living in areas for which the orders have been passed have no problem. The Muslims have no problem with it; they welcome the Kanwar yatris. Unfortunately, some people are doing politics on it.”

Former Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma welcomed the step, emphasizing its role in fostering mutual harmony.

“This is a welcome step, and the government has issued this order to increase mutual harmony among people. About 40-50% of people write their owner’s name below the shop. I think that this is a better effort under the sense of respect and protection of religious faith given in the constitutional system,” Sharma said.

“Hindus and Muslims should walk together; people drink water if Muslims offer water in Ramleela, and Hindus welcome them on Eid. There is no objection to this, but the rules of fasts, festivals, and Kanwar Yatra should not be violated. With this intention, this decision is a welcome step,” Sharma added.

Seers in Ayodhya have also supported the order. Jagatguru Ram Dineshacharya Ji Maharaj stated, “This decision by Chief Minister Adityanath will strengthen Sanatan culture.” Similarly, Divakaracharya Ji Maharaj of Leela Bihari Temple called it a “beautiful initiative.”

The chief priest of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Acharya Satendra Das, supported the order, citing concerns about Muslim-run shops under Hindu names. “The decision by Yogi Ji to display whether the owner is Hindu or Muslim is justified,” Acharya Das affirmed.

In Uttarakhand, the Haridwar Police Administration issued similar instructions. Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Padmendra Dobal stated, “We have given general instructions to the hotels, dhabas, restaurants, and hawkers on the Kanwar route that they will write the name of the owner on their shops. If they fail to do so, we will take legal action against them.”

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath remains firm on the directive, emphasizing its role in maintaining peace and security during the Kanwar Yatra. Despite the controversy, the Uttar Pradesh State Government reiterates that the guidelines aim to ensure a harmonious environment for pilgrims.