Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a new directive requiring all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to prominently display the names of their owners. The directive stipulates that all food shops and carts must have the owner’s name displayed, and warns that action will be taken against those selling halal-certified products.
Earlier, the Muzaffarnagar Police urged all eateries along the Kanwar route to “voluntarily display” the names of their owners and employees. They said that the intention is not to create “religious discrimination” but to facilitate the devotees.
DIG Saharanpur Ajay Kumar Sahni said, “Instances have come to light where Kanwariyas had arguments over food prices at hotels and dhabas. Besides this, there have been instances where non-vegetarian food is available at some establishments, or a person from another community has opened a hotel or dhaba under a different name, leading to issues. Hence, it was decided that the names of the proprietors/owners should be written clearly on boards, rate lists should be clear, and the names of workers should also be displayed to avoid any issues. All hotels and dhabas have agreed to this.”
The move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, accusing the UP Government of targeting one community.
Former Samajwadi Party MP Dr. ST Hasan said, “A message is being given to boycott Muslims and visit shops of Hindus. How long will this communal thinking last? Unfortunately, these kinds of incidents are happening, creating a gap between communities. These kinds of orders should be cancelled.”
UP state Congress chief Ajay Rai added, “This is absolutely impractical. They are trying to impair the sense of brotherhood in society and create distance among people. This should be cancelled immediately.”
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav labelled the order a “social crime” and called for court intervention, questioning the government and administration’s intentions. “What will be known from the name of the person whose name is Guddu, Munna, Chhotu, or Fateh? The honourable court should take suo motu cognizance, investigate the government’s intention behind such administration, and take appropriate punitive action. Such orders are social crimes that want to spoil the peaceful environment of harmony,” Yadav said in a post on X.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the order, likening it to apartheid and Nazi-era practices, and challenged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to issue a written order if he has the “courage.” Addressing a press conference, Owaisi said, “Seeing this order of the Uttar Pradesh government, it seems as if the spirit of Hitler has entered them. Will you give so much importance to a trip that you will ruin the livelihood of others? Will you work for only one community? Where is the Constitution? I challenge Yogi Adityanath to issue a written order if he has the courage. Clear discrimination is happening against Muslims.”
Some leaders from the ruling NDA have said that the order will create division.
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said this move will give rise to untouchability. “Hasty orders from some over-zealous officials may give rise to the disease of untouchability… Faith must be respected, but untouchability must not be patronized,” Naqvi wrote on X.
KC Tyagi, the national spokesperson for Janata Dal (United), a key BJP ally, has called for the withdrawal of a Muzaffarnagar Police order. He warned that the order could incite communal tensions and stressed that there should be no religious discrimination.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed preparations for the Kanwar Yatra, providing guidelines for water, power, urban development, and energy ministers to ensure peace and security. Directives were issued for the Kanwar Yatra, Sawan Mela, and other festivals in the upcoming Shravan month, leading the Urban Development Department to release instructions to enhance cleanliness, lighting, and drinking water arrangements.
