Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh was summoned by Congress leadership to Delhi and reprimanded over a controversial order requiring food outlets across the state to display the name and address of their owners. This move attracted criticism as the Congress had previously denounced a similar order issued by the Uttar Pradesh government during the Kanwar Yatra just a few weeks ago.
According to sources, Vikramaditya Singh, who leads the PWD and Urban Development Ministry, was asked to refrain from making controversial remarks on this issue. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his dissatisfaction with Singh’s stance. The Himachal government’s directive faced strong backlash within the party and on social media.
Former Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, TS Singh Deo, labeled the order as discriminatory. “I don’t see the point of displaying the owner’s name. Just because Uttar Pradesh did it during the Kanwar Yatra, doesn’t mean we need to follow it. You’re selling the brand, not the individual,” he said.
AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam accused Congress of mimicking the BJP’s divisive policies. He stated, “What difference is left between Congress and BJP? Congress is now following the same path of spreading hatred, just like the BJP.”
The Congress also faced severe backlash on social media, with users calling out the party’s “hypocrisy.”
Earlier, Congress had harshly criticized a similar move by the Uttar Pradesh government, with party spokesperson Pawan Khera labeling it as “state-sponsored bigotry.” Now, Congress finds itself in a tricky situation, having to defend a similar move it had once condemned.
