“Nothing wrong” with displaying owners’ names: Indore BJP MLA supports UP govt’s order for eateries on Kanwar Yatra routes

Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], July 20 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Golu Shukla from Indore-3 assembly constituency voiced his support on Saturday for the Uttar Pradesh government’s order directing eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display names of their respective owners.

The BJP MLA said that he sees nothing wrong with the directive.

“We have been organizing the Baneshwari Kanwar Yatra for the last 21 years. This year, the yatra will start from Maheshwar with a ‘Dugdh Abhishek’ to the Narmada river on July 22, the first Monday of the Shravan month, and will continue until July 29,” Shukla told ANI.

On the second Monday of Shravan, July 29, the yatra will conclude with an offering of water to Baba Mahakal at the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain. The eight-day yatra typically sees around 5,000 participants, Shukla pointed out.

Regarding the UP directive, Shukla said, “Shopkeepers should indeed display their names and identities outside their shops. There is nothing wrong with this. We support what UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said.”

When asked if he would advocate for a similar directive in Madhya Pradesh, Shukla mentioned he would discuss it with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

“There is no issue of spreading hatred or division with this directive. It is not about dividing Hindus and Muslims. The Muslim community has welcomed our Kanwar Yatras in various cities in the state for years,” he added.

Earlier on Friday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath mandated that food and beverage shops along Kanwar routes display the name and identity of the operator/owner to uphold the sanctity of the pilgrimage. Additionally, action will be taken against those selling halal-certified products.

This directive has sparked a political debate between the BJP and the opposition.