Prior to the Kanwar Yatra commencing on July 22, food and fruit vendors in Muzaffarnagar have displayed their names prominently. The police directive instructed all merchants along the Kanwar route to label their shops with the proprietors' or employees' names to avoid confusion among pilgrims. As a result, signs have sprouted up from 'Arif the Mango Seller' to 'Nisar the Fruit Seller.'
Muzaffarnagar plays a pivotal role in the approximately 240-kilometer route of the Kanwar Yatra, making this a significant district. The government's order has sparked controversy, and as a response, Team Aaj Tak ventured to the region. Here they discovered 'Babu Da Dhaba' had been renamed 'Babu Khan Dhaba', with the manager's name, Babu Khan, also posted on the board.
Notably, Babu Da Dhaba's owner is Muslim, with Hindu employees managing the establishment. However, fears for personal safety among the employees have grown following the directive, as they worry that any sight of the name 'Khan' after the pilgrimage could lead to misguided aggression.
'Khan' name causes vehicles to bypass the eatery
Aakash Sharma, the manager, claims pressure from the UP Police to add 'Khan' to their signage despite the business being a purely vegetarian establishment. The owner's identity card simply lists his name as 'Babu,' yet enforcement was strict. Sharma points out a troubling consequence: vehicles are no longer stopping at the diner due to the 'Khan' in its name. He expresses concern that if uproar ensues, even Hindus like themselves will not remain unscathed.
Source: aajtak
These allegations are also being made
The UP government's rule requiring religious propriety and revealed identities for shop owners along the Kanwar route has sparked political controversy. It has been suggested that not only are names being forcibly changed, but Muslim employees are also being replaced. The motive for the rule is not solely defined by law and order – it also introduces a clear distinction between religious affiliations of businesses.
Names of these shops have been changed
What was once 'Lovers Tea Point' has been renamed 'Wakeel Ahmed Tea Stall', unmasking the Muslim proprietorship. Similarly, fruit carts and tea shops along the streets are now visibly marked with Muslim names, making ownership transparent where it was once ambiguous.
Source: aajtak
The month of Sawan begins on July 22
Upcoming Sawan month marks the commencement of a sacred time for millions of pilgrims journeying from western Uttar Pradesh to Haridwar in Uttarakhand. Following recent guidelines, all eateries along the Kanwar route must disclose their owner's name and identity.
UP rule also applied in Uttarakhand
The rule originating in UP is already implemented in Uttarakhand. Shopfronts must now state whether the establishment belongs to Salim or Saurabh, Raheem or Rajeev. While initially the enforcement in Muzaffarnagar was a police initiative, it has now expanded to various districts, and the UP government insists this will be the norm along the entire Kanwar route.
