What began in Muzaffarnagar for shops on the Kanwar Yatra's path to include the names of owners and operators is now to be implemented statewide.
Chief Minister
Yogi Adityanath issued instructions during a review meeting with officers on Friday, dictating that each shop on the pilgrimage route must prominently display these details. The Chief Minister also ordered action against sellers of Halal products.
Following this directive, political temperature in Western Uttar Pradesh has risen, initially sparked by the SSP of Muzaffarnagar, who commanded the display of shopkeeper and operator names on the Kanwar route, which was later extended to all districts in the Saharanpur range by the DIG. Now, Chief Minister Yogi has expanded this order to the entire state. Name display will become mandatory for every shop interfacing with the Kanwar pilgrimage.
The roots of the issue during the 2023 Kanwar Yatra:
The controversy traces back to last year's Kanwar Yatra. During the 2023 pilgrimage, Guru Yashvir Maharaj of Yog Sadhana Ashram in Baghra block, Muzaffarnagar, highlighted a concern. He observed that some Muslim-run shops and eateries along the entire stretch from Haridwar, showcasing Hindu deities, should remove such imagery during the Kanwar Yatra of 2023.
Honoring this request, last year saw the removal of pictures of deities from such Muslim eateries on the Muzaffarnagar route. With preparations for the 2024 Kanwar Yatra underway, Guru Yashvir Maharaj appealed for lists of shop owners and workers to be displayed, allowing pilgrims to be informed about the establishments they visit.
This issue reached the local legislator and the Uttar Pradesh government minister Kapil Dev Agarwal, who endorsed the demand. Subsequent orders were issued by the Muzaffarnagar Police to list names on shops along the route, and neighboring district police also directed shopkeepers to display their true names.
Despite the political heat surrounding the issue, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath convened officers to review the situation on Friday morning. He decided to apply the mandate across the state, requiring all shops on the Kanwar Yatra route to display owner and operator names. Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav, have protested against the edict.
