The Uttar Pradesh government has robustly defended its controversial directive mandating that shop owners along the Kanwar Yatra route display their names. The directive, intended to maintain law and order during the Hindu pilgrimage, has faced challenges, with petitions questioning its necessity and legality.
In a recent submission to the Supreme Court, the state government justified the directive as a necessary measure to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. The government explained that the requirement came in response to complaints from Kanwariyas—devotees participating in the Kanwar Yatra—who reported confusion due to the varying names of shops and eateries along the route. This confusion was addressed by the police to enhance the overall experience for the pilgrims.
Previously, the Supreme Court had issued a temporary halt on the enforcement of the directive, allowing food sellers to display the types of food they offer without being required to display their names. The court had expressed concerns over whether such a requirement was overstepping.
In its response, the Uttar Pradesh government clarified that there is no blanket ban on food sellers, other than a restriction on selling non-vegetarian food items. The requirement for shop owners to display their names aims to improve transparency and reduce confusion among the pilgrims.
“The directives were introduced following complaints from Kanwariyas about confusion caused by the shop names,” the government’s submission stated.”In order to guarantee the safety and clarity required for the pilgrimage, the police responded to these complaints.”
The state government emphasized that while the name display is a new requirement, it does not inhibit food sellers from operating their businesses as usual. It maintains that the measure is an additional step to prevent any potential issues during the pilgrimage.
This directive remains a point of contention as it navigates legal and public scrutiny, with ongoing discussions about its impact on local businesses and its role in maintaining order during the Yatra.