The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday has submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court opposing petitions that challenge its directive requiring shop owners along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their names.
The affidavit states that this directive was implemented to ensure the Kanwar Yatra proceeds peacefully and to enhance transparency.
According to the UP government, the directive aims to provide transparency and allow Kanwariyas to make informed choices about the food they consume, respecting their religious beliefs and preventing any accidental violation of their dietary restrictions. The affidavit emphasizes that such precautions are necessary to avoid conflicts among the large number of Kanwariyas, who often walk barefoot carrying holy water.
This affidavit was filed in response to multiple petitions challenging the directive issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. The directive requires shop owners to display their names during the Kanwar Yatra season, a decision that the police say is in the interest of maintaining law and order.
Similar directives have been enforced in several districts across Uttar Pradesh and even in states like Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh.
On July 22, the Supreme Court placed an interim stay on these directives, requiring eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the owners’ names. The Court also issued notices to the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh, where the Yatra occurs. Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti are set to continue hearing the case today.
In its affidavit, the UP government argues that requiring shop owners to prominently disclose their names and the type of food they serve is neither discriminatory nor restrictive. The state maintains that no ban or prohibition has been placed on food sellers, except for the restriction on selling non-vegetarian food, and that they are free to conduct their business as usual.
The requirement to display names is seen as an additional measure to ensure transparency and avoid potential misunderstandings among the Kanwariyas.
The UP government cites past incidents where misunderstandings about the type of food sold have led to tensions and disturbances. The directives, according to the government, are proactive measures to prevent such issues and ensure a peaceful Kanwar Yatra, which sees participation from over 4.07 crore Kanwariyas annually.
Petitions against these directives have been filed by Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, Delhi University Professor Apoorvanand, and activist Aakar Patel. They argue that the directives cause religious discrimination and question the authority’s power to issue such mandates.
Furthermore, the Uttar Pradesh government mandated that food and beverage shops along the Kanwar Yatra routes display the name and identity of the owner/operator of their establishments.
