The Supreme Court held a hearing on the Kanwar Yatra nameplate controversy on Monday. During this session, the court imposed an interim stay on the Uttar Pradesh government's decision, which required shopkeepers along the Kanwar route to disclose their identities. The court stated that shopkeepers are not required to reveal their names or identities.
Instead, the court mandated that shopkeepers must only indicate whether they sell vegetarian or non-vegetarian food. They are required to specify the type of food being sold at their establishments.
In this context, the court has issued notices to the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh. Moreover, the court has mentioned that if the petitioner wishes to involve other states, notices will be issued to them as well. The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for July 26.
What Arguments Were Presented During the Hearing?
The NGO Association for the Protection of Civil Rights challenged the Uttar Pradesh government's order in the Supreme Court. The case was heard by a bench comprising Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice SVN Bhatti on Monday.
During the hearing, lawyer CU Singh, representing the NGO, argued that the UP government's decision lacks any legal basis. Such an order has never been issued before, and no law grants the police commissioner such powers. Mandating nameplates for roadside tea stalls or small shops will not serve any purpose.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi referred to the order as a pseudo directive. Singhvi noted that the Kanwar Yatra has been occurring for decades, with individuals from various religions, including Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists, assisting Kanwarias. There are already strict laws against feeding meat to Kanwarias.
Singhvi further commented that non-compliance with this order, such as not displaying nameplates, would result in fines. The Kanwar Yatra covers thousands of kilometers, with numerous tea stalls, carts, and fruit shops along the route. This order would impose economic hardship on these shopkeepers.
The Origin in Muzaffarnagar, UP
In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had issued necessary directives ahead of the Kanwar Yatra. According to the government, it was made mandatory for the owners of all food shops, including roadside carts, to display name boards. This rule originated in Muzaffarnagar, where the local administration instructed shop owners along the Kanwar route to display their names.
On July 19, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a review meeting with officials and instructed that the names of shop owners and operators be displayed on every shop along the Kanwar Yatra route throughout the state. The Chief Minister also ordered action against those selling halal products.
This decision sparked political controversy in the state and the country. The opposition accused the Yogi Adityanath government of communalism and divisive politics.
The BJP argued that Hindus have the right to maintain the purity of their faith, just like adherents of other religions. Initially, Muzaffarnagar police issued this order only for shops and eateries along the Kanwar Yatra routes in the district. However, following opposition protests, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended this order statewide. Additionally, the state government announced actions against those selling halal-certified products.
The Kanwar Yatra, which begins in the month of Sawan, commenced on Monday. There are four main Kanwar Yatra routes in the state. The Yatra starts from Haridwar in Uttarakhand and passes through the districts of western Uttar Pradesh. Besides the routes in western UP, another Yatra begins from Varanasi in eastern UP and concludes in Deogarh, Jharkhand. Additionally, in eastern Uttar Pradesh, a Kanwar Yatra takes place between Barabanki and Gonda.
