In a massive move, the Uttar Pradesh government has ordered all roadside eateries to display the "name and identity" of their owners along the Kanwar Yatra route across the state. The 'nameplates' of the owners will have to be installed on the food shops. The decision was taken to maintain the "purity" of the faith of Kanwar pilgrims. The action will also be taken against those selling productions with Halal certifications.
Earlier, the Muzaffarnagar Police had ordered all eateries on the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners to avoid any "confusion". A day later, the Yogi Adityanath government ordered the same across the state.
Political reactions over the issue
Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai called the government's move "impractical" and asked it to withdraw immediately.
"This is absolutely impractical. They are trying to impair the sense of brotherhood in society, trying to create distance among people. This should be cancelled immediately," he said.
Former Samajwadi Party MP Dr. ST Hasan alleged that the government is attempting to give a "boycott Muslim" calls to the Hindus which will create a gap between the two communities.
"A message is being given to boycott Muslims and visit shops of Hindu...How long will this communal thinking last? It is unfortunate that these kinds of incidents are happening...A gap is being created between the two communities. These kinds of orders should be cancelled," he said.
UP Minister puts forth government's motive behind the order
State Minister Kapil Dev Aggarwal said that there are shops along the Kanwar Yatra routes where non-veg food is sold on the shops containing the names of Hindu deities, which are run "mostly from Muslim community". He also said that it is a matter of social harmony and the Opposition is giving it a "Hindu-Muslim" spin.
"This is not a matter about every food cart. Those who carry 'jal' from Haridwar and travel for 250-300 km, cross this route to reach their destination. We had urged the district administration that all such people who run their dhaba/hotel after the names of Hindu deities are mostly from Muslim community. Kanwariyas visit their shops where non-veg is sold. So, the name of the shop is after a Hindu deity, but non-veg is sold there - all such establishments should be prohibited, they should be identified. We have no objection to the sale of non-veg, Kanwariyas would not purchase it...We have only urged that non-veg should not be sold by opening shops after the names of Hindu deities. So, administration has acted accordingly. Politicians are giving it a Hindu-Muslim angle. But it is not a Hindu-Muslim matter, it is a matter of social harmony. People can sit and eat wherever they want, but they should have the knowledge of where they are sitting..." he said.
