UP CM Yogi Adityanath Mandates Owner Names on Kanwar Yatra Route Eateries

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday mandated that all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route must prominently display the names of their owners. This directive follows a previous attempt by the Muzaffarnagar Police to implement a similar order, which was subsequently revoked due to backlash from the Opposition, as well as leaders of the NDA coalition calling it an “anti-muslim” directive.

Under the latest directive, all food shops and carts along the Kanwar Yatra route must conspicuously show the name of the owner on a board. Despite internal dissent within the BJP, the Muzaffarnagar administration amended the directive to make name displays voluntary. However, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made it mandatory for all eateries and food carts along the Kanwar Yatra route in Uttar Pradesh to display owner names.

Earlier today, the controversy further intensified when Uttar Pradesh Minister Kapil Dev Agarwal made allegations that Muslims were disguising themselves with Hindu names to sell non-vegetarian food to pilgrims. "They write names like Vaishno Dhaba Bhandar, Shakumbhari Devi Bhojanalaya, and Shuddh Bhojanalaya and sell non-vegetarian food,” said Agarwal.

The initial order from Muzaffarnagar police requesting eateries to display owners' names caused significant political controversy, drawing criticism from both opposition leaders and those within the ruling NDA who argued it could foster division.

Former Union Minister and BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi criticized the order, warning against potential implications of untouchability. "Hasty orders from some over-zealous officials may give rise to the disease of untouchability," Naqvi said.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the decision, likening it to promoting untouchability and accusing the government of violating constitutional rights. "We condemn this order as it violates Article 17 of the Indian Constitution," said Owaisi.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also condemned the order, labeling it a social crime aimed at creating societal divisions. "Such orders are social crimes," Akhilesh Yadav stated.