Opposition, several BJP allies criticise rule on eateries displaying owners’ name; CM Yogi remains firm

New Delhi [India], July 19 (ANI): The Uttar Pradesh government’s directive to food shops on the Kanwar Yatra route to display details of the owner or operator has drawn criticism from the opposition parties as well as several alliance partners of the ruling party, BJP.

A statement issued by the Chief Minister’s office said that the Chief Minister has mandated all food and beverage shops along the Kanwar route in Uttar Pradesh to display nameplates with the name and identity of the owner or operator.

The CMO statement called it a move to maintain “the sanctity” of the Kanwar Yatra, which will begin on July 22 in the state.

The directive, which also includes action against shops selling halal-certified products, has stirred a political debate.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra referred to the directive as “an attack against the Constitution.” She said that the directive goes against the constitutional dictate that no citizen shall be discriminated against based on caste, religion, language or place of birth.

“The divisive order to put up name boards of the owners of carts, kiosks and shops in Uttar Pradesh is an attack on our Constitution, our democracy and our shared heritage,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a post on X.

“Creating division in society on the basis of caste and religion is a crime against the Constitution. This order should be withdrawn immediately and strict action should be taken against the officials who issued it,” she added.

Congress leader Harish Rawat said that the practice of untouchability, which was abolished just after the country attained independence, has been brought back in another form.

“This is a condemnable decision. Untouchability, abolished just after independence, is being brought back in another form. The governments of UP and Uttarakhand should withdraw this order,” Rawat said.

“It is not like shopkeepers don’t know what the do’s and don’ts are during Kanwar Yatra. Sometimes, even onion and garlic are used in Hindu hotels but they tell the customers before serving. This is a great yatra. Everybody welcomes Kanwar Yatris. I have seen Muslim brothers serving water to Hindu Kanwar Yatris. Tomorrow, they might also categorise other things like vegetables and milk by putting labels on them,” he added.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati condemned the UP government’s directive and referred to it as unconstitutional.

“The order by the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments to the traders of Kawand Marg to prominently write the full name of the owner and staff on their shops and also to ban the sale of meat for electoral gains is completely unconstitutional,” she said in a post on X.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav referred to the order as a “social crime” and called for court intervention as he questioned the intention behind the government and administration’s actions.

“What will be known from the name of the person whose name is Guddu, Munna, Chhotu or Fateh? The honourable court should take suo-moto cognizance, investigate the intention of the government, and take appropriate punitive action. Such orders are social crimes that want to spoil the peaceful environment of harmony,” the SP chief said in a post on X.

Former Samajwadi Party MP ST Hasan referred to the directive as “unfortunate.”

“A message is being given to boycott Muslims and visit Hindu shops. How long will this communal thinking last? It is unfortunate that these kinds of incidents are happening. A gap is being created between the two communities. These kinds of orders should be cancelled,” Hasan told ANI on Friday.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the directive and claimed that it is a violation of Article 17 of the Constitution.

“We condemn it because it is a violation of Article 17 of the Constitution, which talks about untouchability. So the Uttar Pradesh government is promoting untouchability. Secondly, ever since the Uttar Pradesh government gave the order, Muslim employees have been removed from all the shops in Muzaffarnagar,” Owaisi said.

“Will you work for only one community? Where is the Constitution? I challenge Yogi Adityanath to issue a written order if he has the courage,” he added.

BJP’s ally Janata Dal (United) asked the Uttar Pradesh government to review the Muzaffarnagar order or to take the order back.

Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi said that the directive violates “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” initiative advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“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 were reviewed. This order should be taken back,” KC Tyagi told ANI.

Another ally of the BJP, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), also criticised the directive and said, “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,” he added.

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

Seers in Ayodhya, including the chief priest of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Acharya Satyendra Das, supported the order.

“The decision by Yogi Ji to display whether the owner is Hindu or Muslim is justified,” Acharya Das said.

Jagatguru Ram Dineshacharya Maharaj stated, “This decision by Chief Minister Adityanath will strengthen Sanatan culture.” Divakaracharya Maharaj of Leela Bihari Temple called it a “beautiful initiative.”

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 to the security of the public.”

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

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 and highlighted 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 per cent of people write their owner’s name below the shop. I think that this is a good effort for the sense of respect and protection of religious faith given in the constitutional system,” Sharma said.

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