Uttar Pradesh Government Defends Kanwar Yatra Order amid Supreme Court Challenge

The Uttar Pradesh government has defended its controversial Kanwar Yatra directive in court, asserting that the order was implemented to maintain peace and order during the pilgrimage. The directive, which requires shop owners along the Kanwar Yatra route to prominently display their names, had stoked a massive political controversy, with The Opposition calling it an “anti-Muslim” move.

In its submission to the Supreme Court, the Uttar Pradesh government emphasized that the order was introduced following complaints from Kanwariyas about confusion over shop names and the types of food available. According to the government, this confusion has the potential to offend religious sentiments and cause disruptions. "Even small confusions regarding the kind of food Kanwariyas are served have the potential to hurt their religious sentiments and cause flare-ups, especially in a communally sensitive area like Muzaffarnagar,” said the state government in its affidavit. The submission highlighted past incidents where misunderstandings about food had led to tensions and disturbances, framing the directive as a proactive measure to prevent such issues.

The UP government's response also noted the challenging nature of the Kanwar Yatra. “The yatra is an arduous journey where some Kanwariyas, that is, the Dak Kanwariyas, do not even stop to rest once the Kanwar is on their shoulders,” the submission stated. The government added that there are sacred practices associated with the pilgrimage, such as not placing the Kanwar, once filled with holy Gangajal, on the ground or under the shadow of certain trees.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had issued an interim order staying the enforcement of the directive. “We deem it appropriate to pass an interim order prohibiting the enforcement of the impugned directives. In other words, food sellers (including dhaba owners, restaurants, food and vegetable sellers, hawkers, etc.) may be required to display the kind of food that they are serving to the Kanwariyas. But they must not be forced to display the name/ identity of the owners and the employees,” noted the apex court.

The Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Shiva, sees millions of devotees traveling to collect holy water from the Ganges River. This year’s yatra commenced on July 22, coinciding with the first Monday of the ‘Sawan’ month. Pilgrims across the country have visited various temples, including the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain and the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, to offer their prayers and participate in the holy festivities.​