PaperDabba News Desk: July 19, 2024
Amid a political outcry and sharp criticism, the state police on Thursday softened their stand on the directive for displaying the names of owners of eateries, shops, and carts on the Kanwar Yatra routes in West U.P. districts of Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, and Shamli. The police now claim that compliance is voluntary and there is no forcible enforcement.
Background and Initial Directive
The controversy began when the authorities in Muzaffarnagar directed dhabas and hotels along the 240-km Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage route to display the names of their owners and staff. The police started enforcing the order on the highway and in the city before the yatra, which will begin on July 22 with the onset of the Hindu holy month of Shravan or Saawan and continue till August 2.
The idea was first endorsed by UP minister and Muzaffarnagar MLA Kapil Dev Agarwal during a review meeting of the Kanwar Yatra last week. Agarwal highlighted instances of non-veg food being sold in restaurants named after Hindu deities. He emphasized that there was nothing against those selling non-veg food, but they should not mislead people.
Clarifications from Authorities
Clearing his stand, Muzaffarnagar senior superintendent of police (SSP), Abhishek Singh, said, “An appeal was made to shopkeepers and cart owners to display their names voluntarily.” He explained that pilgrims often avoid eating at non-vegetarian eateries, and the directive aimed to prevent confusion and potential law-and-order issues.
Some Hindu outfits had earlier raised concerns that several Muslims operated eateries on National Highway-58, which connects Delhi to Haridwar. They alleged that many of these owners kept Hindu names for their establishments, misleading Kanwariyas to believe they were eating at vegetarian-only dhabas. This misunderstanding sometimes led to confrontations.
Political and Social Reactions
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati criticized the directive, stating it could disturb communal harmony. She urged the state government to retract the order in a post on X.
Several women and social organizations also condemned the move, calling it a “communally motivated directive” issued under pressure from a Hindu outfit leader. Kanti Mishra of the Indian Women Federation labeled the directive unconstitutional.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav demanded the judiciary take suo-motu cognizance of the matter and investigate the state government’s intentions. He later remarked on the police’s softened stance on Thursday.
Madhu Garg of the All India Democratic Women Association called for registering an FIR against Hindu outfit leaders for promoting enmity between the public based on caste and religion. Former Lucknow University vice-chancellor Roop Rekha Verma demanded disciplinary action against the Muzaffarnagar SSP.
Current Situation
The police have now clarified that the directive is voluntary, intended to avoid potential confrontations between shopkeepers and Kanwariyas. With the Kanwar Yatra set to begin, it remains to be seen how this directive will impact the pilgrimage and the local communities.
