After Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered nameplates to be installed on all shops along the Kanwar Yatra route, political reactions flared up from UP to Bihar. Yet, some shopkeepers in Bihar have voluntarily put up nameplates on their shops.
Thousands of Kanwariyas visit the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya during the month of Sawan to offer water and Bel leaves to Lord Shiva. Recognizing this, local shopkeepers in Bodh Gaya have mutually agreed to install nameplates on their shops.
Both Hindu and Muslim shopkeepers have voluntarily put up nameplates in front of their fruit shops. Some fruit sellers have had their names displayed for the past 20 years. Local fruit vendors stated that business hasn't been affected by the nameplates and people from all religions come to buy from them.
What shopkeepers said about nameplates
Fruit vendor Bachchu Malakar in Bodh Gaya shared that both domestic and international customers visit their shops. During the month of Sawan, Kanwariyas also come, and there's no discrimination here.
Another fruit vendor, Pankaj Kumar, emphasized that fruit markets should have nameplates so that if there's any issue, identification of the shop is easy. He said, there will be no issues with nameplates, as Bodh Gaya is a center of faith for both Hindu and Buddhist religions, and this practice will not cause any discrimination.
Om Prakash Kumar, a local citizen buying fruits, pointed out that this is a land of knowledge and salvation, thanks to Lord Buddha. People of all religions live together here harmoniously. You can see that fruit vendors in Bodh Gaya have already put up nameplates in preparation for the Sawan month. We don't believe in any caste or religious discrimination.
