A new rule for the Kanwar Yatra in Uttar Pradesh has ignited a fierce debate. The latest advisory mandates that food and beverage shops along the pilgrimage route must display the name and identity of the owner on a ‘nameplate’. This directive has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition, who accuse the Yogi Adityanath government of promoting untouchability. However, BJP leaders assert that the rule simply reiterates a notification issued during the Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati governments in 2006.
The controversy has prompted scrutiny of the origins and legality of the rule. BJP leader Shaina NC claims the notification was first implemented during the Congress-led UPA government’s tenure. Reports surfaced stating that the Kanwar Yatra advisory is merely a restatement of an old rule aimed at maintaining peace and order. State BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi further contends that the BJP is simply adhering to previous directives outlined in the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and the Street Vendors Act 2014.
However, a closer examination reveals discrepancies in the BJP’s claims. The Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, implemented nationwide, doesn’t explicitly mention the Kanwar Yatra or require nameplates for shop owners. The Act merely mandates that shops display their license in a prominent location. The Act was passed in 2006 during the Congress-led central government and the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) rule in Uttar Pradesh.
The new Kanwar Yatra advisory, announced by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on July 19, necessitates the display of a ‘nameplate’ with the owner’s information on food shops along the Kanwar routes. The Chief Minister’s Office cites the need to maintain the purity of the faith of Kanwar pilgrims and has also announced action against those selling products with Halal certification. The Muzaffarnagar UP police, in their advisory, stated that the decision was taken to avoid confusion among Kanwariyas regarding food items, citing past instances of law and order issues.
Opposition leaders have condemned the UP government’s advisory, deeming it discriminatory and a violation of Article 17 of the Constitution. Congress leader Pawan Khera accuses the advisory of normalizing the economic boycott of Muslims. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi draws a parallel between the Muzaffarnagar police advisory and the Apartheid and Judenboykott in Nazi Germany, accusing the Uttar Pradesh government of promoting untouchability. Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party president, calls the advisory a ‘social crime’ and urges the courts to take suo motu cognizance. Mayawati, the BSP supremo, also criticizes the government’s directive, deeming it unconstitutional.
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi initially criticized the move, warning of the potential for the resurgence of untouchability. However, he later clarified that there was a ‘confusion’ based on a limited administrative guideline. The BJP, in its defense, asserts that Kanwariyas have the right to know the source of their food and that the nameplate is not a communal issue. They argue that fasting Hindus can make informed choices by identifying pure-vegetarian restaurants where they are more likely to be served ‘satvik’ food.
