UP CM Adityanath orders eateries along Kanwar Yatra routes in UP to display owners’ names 

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners throughout the state. The Kanwar Yatra is set to commence on July 22.

This order comes after the Uttar Pradesh police in Muzaffarnagar amended their directive, making it optional for eateries to display owners’ names, following criticism from opposition parties.

To ensure the Kanwar Yatra proceeds smoothly, Adityanath instructed that food and beverage shops along the Kanwar routes must show the name and identity of the operator/owner to uphold the pilgrims’ faith. Additionally, action will be taken against those selling halal-certified products, ANI reported.

As per the new rule, all food establishments, including restaurants, roadside dhabas, and food carts, must now display the owner’s name.

Uttar Pradesh Minister Kapil Dev Agarwal recently claimed that some Muslims are disguising themselves under Hindu names to sell non-vegetarian food to pilgrims. He mentioned that names like “Vaishno Dhaba Bhandar,” “Shakumbhari Devi Bhojanalaya,” and “Shuddh Bhojanalaya” are being used to sell non-vegetarian items.

The Muzaffarnagar Police had earlier requested that eateries along the Kanwar route “voluntarily display” the names of their owners and staff. They emphasised that this measure is intended solely to assist devotees and is not meant to foster any “religious discrimination.”

At the same time, the Uttarakhand Police has instructed that eateries along the Kanwar Yatra routes display the owners’ names on their boards.

Former Samajwadi Party MP Dr. ST Hasan criticised this directive, stating, “…A message is being sent to boycott Muslim-owned businesses and support those owned by Hindus… How long will this communal mindset continue? Unfortunately, such incidents are increasing… This is creating a divide between the communities. These orders should be revoked…”

UP state Congress chief Ajay Rai remarked, “This is completely impractical. It undermines the spirit of unity in society and aims to create rifts among people. This should be reversed immediately…”

Earlier on Thursday, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav described the order as a “social crime” and urged the court to intervene, raising concerns about the motives behind the government and administration’s actions.

“What can be learned from names like Guddu, Munna, Chhotu, or Fateh? The esteemed court should initiate suo-motu proceedings to probe the government’s intentions and impose suitable penalties. Such orders are social crimes aimed at disrupting the peaceful atmosphere of harmony,” he stated in a post on X.

(With inputs from agencies)