Kanwar Yatra 2024
: The sacred month of Sawan begins on July 22. The Kanwar Yatra will commence from the first day of Sawan. Pilgrims will head to Haridwar, but a recent order from the UP Police has sparked controversy. The Yogi government has issued instructions for shops and street vendors on the Kanwar route. The order states that all shops and street vendors must display their names so that Kanwar pilgrims know from which shop they are buying goods.
Amid various controversies, CM Yogi has taken steps for the Kanwar pilgrims. The Chief Minister's Office has announced that all food and drink shops on Kanwar routes throughout Uttar Pradesh must display a 'nameplate' indicating the name and identification of the shop owner. According to the CMO, this decision aims to maintain the purity of the pilgrims' faith, and action will also be taken against those selling halal-certified products.
UP Minister Strongly Supports the Decision
Meanwhile, UP minister Kapil Dev Agarwal defended the decision, saying, 'Pilgrims from all over the country collect water from Haridwar Gomukh and travel to their destinations, particularly passing through Muzaffarnagar. It has been observed that some people write names in the name of Hindu religion on their shops, dhabas, and restaurants, while the owners are Muslims. We have no objection to them being Muslims, the issue arises when they sell non-veg at their shops under names like Vaishno Dhaba Bhandar, Shakumbhari Devi Bhojanalaya, and Shuddh Bhojanalaya. This is highly objectionable. My demand to the district administration was that the names of the owners should be displayed on such dhabas. Where is the objection in that? Many videos have gone viral showing people spitting on the bread and even in the restaurants.'
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Muzzafarnagar Markets Transform
A police order has transformed the markets of Muzaffarnagar. The police argue that 'during the holy month of Shravan, many people, especially Kanwariyas, abstain from certain food items. There have been incidents where food sellers used names on their shops that created confusion and law-and-order issues among Kanwariyas. To prevent this, shop owners selling food and beverages along the Kanwar route have been requested to voluntarily display the names of the owners and workers.' The police claim that their order aims to facilitate the convenience of the devotees and maintain law and order. The effect of the UP Police's order is visible, with shops, hotels, and street vendors in Muzaffarnagar displaying nameplates. The administration argues that this order was issued so Kanwariyas' religious sentiments are not hurt, and Kanwariyas seem to agree with this.
Opposition Becomes Aggressive
AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the order as 'discriminatory' and alleged that it aims to make Muslims 'second-class' citizens in Uttar Pradesh and the entire country. Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav called the order a 'social crime' and urged the courts to take immediate notice.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad Supports
Hindu organizations allege that some shop owners run their businesses by changing their names and hiding their identities, hurting the religious sentiments of Kanwariyas. After receiving complaints, the police conducted an inquiry and issued this order. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) backed the UP Police's order on Thursday, criticizing opposition parties and deeming it necessary to protect the faith of Hindus.
JD(U) and Muslim Clerics Voice Displeasure
A VHP spokesperson stated that if shop owners transparently disclose their identity and names, no one will have any objections. 'What are you (shop owners) trying to do by hiding your identity?' the spokesperson questioned. Let us remind you that passing through Muzaffarnagar, Kanwariyas travel to various districts of Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and UP. Annually, 4 crore Kanwariyas carry the Kanwar from Haridwar, with more than 2.5 crore passing through Muzaffarnagar. The countdown for the Shiva devotion journey has begun. The season for the Kanwar Yatra is about to start, but this recent UP Police order has brought new controversy to the journey.
