The BJP leader, supporters, and the opposition are among the groups criticising the UP government's decision to publicize the names of the proprietors of the restaurants located along the Kanwar Yatra route. The debate surrounding this move is far from done.

The UP government issued orders on Friday requiring store and restaurant owners to post their names and other information on their properties in every area of the state where the Kanwar Yatra is being held.

In order to guarantee the smooth running of the yatra and to preserve the purity of the pilgrims' religion, the UP government made it apparent on Friday that nameplates on establishments along the Kanwar route must adhere to certain rules. It was also explicitly stated by the authorities that individuals who sold goods labeled as "halal-certified" would face consequences.

On July 22, when the Hindu month of Shravan begins, the Kanwar Yatra will begin. It will end on August 2.

The national head of All India Muslim Jamaat (AIMJ), Maulana Shahabuddin Razvin, offered full support to the UP government's move, while senior BJP politician and former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi denounced the directive, calling it a "disease of untouchability" that may spread far.

Kanwar Yatra route
Image Source: Rediff.com

In addition to criticising individuals who attacked him over his article, Naqvi stated that while faith must be honored, "untouchability must not be encouraged."

“Kuch ati-utsahi adhikariyon ke aadesh hadbadi mein gadbadi wali... asprishyata ki bimari ko badhawa de sakte hain... astha ka samman hona chahiye, par asprishyata ka sanrakshan nahi hona chahiye (the hasty orders of some overzealous officials may spread the disease of untouchability...Faith must be respected, but untouchability must not be encouraged),” he said.

Impact of New Directives on Kanwar Yatra Route and Local Businesses

Razvin, on the other hand, stated that the CM had made the choice to maintain harmony and avoid Hindu-Muslim disputes during the Kanwar Yatra. "SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is politicising the issue for cheap popularity," he stated.

In the meanwhile, in addition to Naqvi, a few significant BJP allies, such as the JD(U), RLD, and Chirag Paswan, have denounced the direction requesting that the state government examine the decision.

The police in Muzaffarnagar issued a similar directive on Monday. "This has been done to ensure to avoid confusion among kanwariyas leading to a law and order issue," stated Abhishek Singh, the chief of police in Muzaffarnagar.

But following a significant backlash from a number of sources, the order was reexamined on Thursday, and the decision to disclose the identities of the restaurant owners was left up to their "free will."

While the Congress referred to it as an attack on common Indian culture, Mayawati, the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and leader of the BSP, called it unconstitutional, and JD(U) leader KC Tyagi urged the state government to remove it because it could incite tensions between communities because caste and religion should not be grounds for discrimination.

The directive was deemed incorrect and in opposition to the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Chaudhary Charan Singh by the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), another BJP affiliate. "Nowadays, politicians are using their religious beliefs to further their careers. On street carts, why should someone be forced to sign their name? They're entitled to work.This custom is totally incorrect. The client has the right to shop at any store they choose, according to RLD National General Secretary Trilok Tyagi.

Chirag Paswan, an ally of the BJP and union minister, declared that he was against division based on caste or religion. According to him, there are only two classes in society: the affluent and the poor, and members of other castes and faiths may be classified into either of these groups.

"There should be a bridge built between these two classes. Every government has an obligation to assist the impoverished, which encompasses all societal groups including Muslims, Dalits, backwards, and upper castes. Everyone is present. For them, we must labor," Paswan declared.

The BJP, meanwhile, justified it by declaring that it will let Hindus who are fasting select a restaurant that serves only vegetarian cuisine in order to enjoy "Satvik" meals.

"India's'secularism' can't be so fragile that a uniform order asking all eateries to display name and contact number of the owner/workers should disrupt it," BJP's Amit Malviya, head of the IT department, said on X.

Mohsin Raza, a BJP politician and former UP minister, claimed that the CM has given people's security careful consideration. He declared, "The opposition is attempting to oppose this advisory, not the Kanwar Yatra."

Community Leaders’ Concerns Regarding Kanwar Yatra Route Regulations

ADG DK Thakur of the Meerut Zone, however, stated that this was not a fresh directive. It was present the year before as well. This time, confusion was caused by the order," he continued.

President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani has requested that the UP government revoke the nameplate order immediately, calling it discriminatory, unfair, and blatantly prejudiced.

"There is a deliberate attempt to treat Muslims similarly and relegate them to second-class citizenship, just as the Dalit community has been subjected to untouchability and presented as impure for centuries," Madani stated. With its foundation in the teachings of Buddha, Chishti, Nanak, and Gandhi, this action tarnishes the cultural identity, fabric, and majesty of our country. It is never appropriate to take such divisive actions.

Although the judgment was being executed in a particular location, Madani stated that it will have far-reaching effects. In addition to giving possibilities for anti-national elements to take advantage of the crisis, it would strengthen forces that advocate for an economic boycott of Muslims.

"Muslims have always respected the beliefs and practices of the Kanwariyas and have never caused them any harm," Madani added, highlighting the fact that there is a sizable Muslim community in the places through which the Kanwar Yatra goes. But such a decree will seriously undermine social cohesion and foster miscommunication and division among the populace."

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