UP Orders Shop Nameplates to Ensure Kanwar Yatra Peace

The Uttar Pradesh government has recently informed the Supreme Court about its directive requiring shops along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners. This measure is intended to ensure a peaceful pilgrimage by addressing concerns related to religious sentiments and potential misunderstandings.

The state government emphasized that the order aims to prevent any accidental offense to Kanwariyas, ensuring their religious sentiments are respected. By mandating shopkeepers to display their names, the government seeks to promote transparency and maintain peace during the pilgrimage. This directive was issued in response to previous complaints from Kanwariyas about confusion caused by shop names and food offerings.

Historically, misunderstandings about food types have led to tensions and disturbances. To prevent such issues, the state government issued this proactive measure. It clarified that the order does not ban food sales but restricts the sale of non-veg food. Shopkeepers remain free to operate their businesses as usual. The nameplate requirement is merely an additional step to ensure clarity and avoid potential conflicts.

The Supreme Court has been informed that even minor confusions regarding food can hurt Kanwariyas’ religious sentiments, especially in communally sensitive regions like Muzaffarnagar. The Uttar Pradesh government assured the Court that the order applies uniformly to all food sellers, irrespective of their religious or community affiliations. The objective is to uphold public safety and order during the Kanwar Yatra, given the large number of participants.

On Monday, the Supreme Court issued an interim order halting the nameplate directive. The Court ruled that shop owners would only need to display the types of food served, not their names. Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti issued notices to Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh governments about this order. The Court’s decision follows a plea from the Association of Protection of Civil Rights, challenging the Uttar Pradesh government’s directive.

Initially, Muzaffarnagar Police mandated nameplates for eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route. This order was later made voluntary. However, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath mandated the nameplate requirement for all eateries statewide. Subsequently, the Uttarakhand government and the Ujjain administration in Madhya Pradesh adopted similar measures.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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