21 July 2024: A new directive from the Uttar Pradesh government requiring food shops along the Kanwar Yatra route to display ID cards has sparked significant political backlash. Various leaders have criticized the move, deeming it discriminatory and divisive.
Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), described the order as reflecting a deep-seated hatred toward Muslims in India. He criticized both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the INDIA bloc, accusing them of fostering this “visceral hatred.”
“Fear on UP’s Kanwar routes: This is the reality of hatred for Indian Muslims. Credit for this visceral hatred goes to political parties/leaders of Hindutva and so-called lip-servicing secular parties,” Owaisi stated on ‘X’, sharing a photo of an egg stall displaying the name of its owner.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal questioned the necessity of such a directive, suggesting it contradicted the vision of a progressive India. “Is this the route to a ‘Viksit Bharat’? Divisive agendas will only divide the country,” Sibal commented on ‘X’.
Brinda Karat of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) likened the order to actions taken in Nazi Germany. “The Uttar Pradesh government is destroying the Constitution of India by issuing such orders… A whole community is being humiliated,” she asserted, calling for judicial intervention to revoke the order.
Despite the criticism, some BJP leaders have defended the move. Mohsin Raza, a BJP leader, claimed it was aimed at ensuring security during the large-scale Kanwar Yatra. “The government is providing facilities and security. So no one has to hide their name. It also conveys a message of harmony,” Raza said.
BJP National General Secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam dismissed the concerns, suggesting that the local Muslim community welcomed the Kanwar Yatris and that the controversy was being politicized by the opposition.
The order, issued by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, mandates that food and beverage shops along Kanwar routes display the operator’s name and identity to maintain the sanctity of the pilgrims’ faith. Furthermore, it warns against selling halal-certified products.
This directive has ignited a political dispute, with leaders across the spectrum voicing their objections and concerns. The opposition claims it is a divisive move that targets a particular community, while the BJP maintains it is a necessary measure for public safety and harmony.
