Kanwar Yatra and the rising debate on Hinduism: UP Govt Statement, Supreme Court’s Decision, and much more

The row over the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand State Governments directive asking all the eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owner’s names as the BJP’s ally RLD joined the chorus for its withdrawal and the opposition parties stated they will raise the issue in Parliament.

The issue has escalated so much that it had to be taken to the highest court of the country. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea on Monday filed by an NGO, Association of Protection of Civil Rights against the Uttar Pradesh Government’s order.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) Minister of Parliament (MP) Mahua Moitra moved the apex court against the orders, alleging that they are targeting Muslim shop owners and workers aggravating communal discord between communities.

Her X account had the following status,

Opposition has alleged that the order on eateries is communal and divisive and intended to target Muslims and Scheduled Castes by forcing them to reveal their identity. But in their statement, the BJP said that the step has been taken keeping in mind law and order issues and the religious sentiments of pilgrims.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s office released a status that can be seen here regarding the Kanwar Yatra Preparation, have a look –

At an all party meeting on Sunday in the Parliament session, several opposition parties, including the Congress, DMK, SP, and AAP criticised the statement released and made it clear that they would raise the issue in both the lower and upper house of the Parliament wanting a discussion on the matter.

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TMC Leader Moitra in her plea before the Supreme Court alleged that the forcing of disclosure of the names of proprietors and staff on the stated ground of respecting pilgrims dietary choices, or a proxy for the compelled disclosure of religious identity through disclosure of names.

In Muzaffarnagar, several dhaba owners and workers expressed apprehensions about losing business due to the directive issued by the District Police about displaying owner names across the eateries. This order has been issued all over the state.