Uttar Pradesh Government Defends Directive on Eateries During Kanwar Yatra

The Uttar Pradesh government has defended its directive requiring owners of eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their names. This defense was presented to the Supreme Court on July 25th, challenging petitions contesting the order. The state administration argued that the directive aims to facilitate a peaceful and orderly pilgrimage and prevent any accidental hurt to the religious sentiments of Kanwariyas.

Rationale Behind the Directive

The Yogi Adityanath administration emphasized that the directive is designed to provide transparency and informed choices for the Kanwariyas regarding the food they consume during the Yatra. The government stated, “The idea behind the directives is transparency and informed choice of the consumer/Kanwaria regarding the food they eat during the period of the Yatra, keeping in mind their religious sentiments so that they don’t, even accidentally, fall foul of their beliefs.”

The state government explained that past incidents of misunderstandings regarding the type of food being sold have led to tensions and disturbances. The directive is seen as a proactive measure to avoid such situations and ensure public safety and order during the Kanwar Yatra, which sees large numbers of participants.

Non-Discriminatory Measures

The Uttar Pradesh government emphasized that the directive applies to all food vendors along the Kanwar Yatra path, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The state’s comprehensive petition noted that the order was issued in response to complaints from Kanwariyas about confusion caused by the names of eateries and shops.

The directive aims to ensure a peaceful and harmonious pilgrimage by preventing any misconceptions about the type of food being served, which could lead to flare-ups, especially in communally sensitive areas like Muzaffarnagar. The state government stressed that shops are free to conduct their business as usual and that there are no restrictions on selling non-vegetarian food. The requirement to list the identities of owners is seen as an extra precaution to maintain openness and prevent misunderstandings.

Constitutional Justification

The Uttar Pradesh government argued that the directive aligns with the fundamental responsibilities of citizenship as outlined in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution, which obliges citizens to foster unity and a sense of fraternity. The government contends that the instructions promote peace, fraternity, and harmonious cohabitation by ensuring that the religious beliefs of the Kanwariyas are respected.

Supreme Court’s Interim Ruling

On July 22nd, the Uttar Pradesh government issued the order mandating that the names of the proprietors of eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route be displayed. This order came after complaints from some Kanwariyas regarding confusion over the names of stores and eateries. However, the Supreme Court issued an interim ruling to stay the decree until July 26th.

The state government’s defense underscores its commitment to maintaining order and respecting religious sentiments during the Kanwar Yatra, while also addressing concerns about potential communal tensions. The Supreme Court’s final decision on this matter will be closely watched for its implications on similar directives in the future.