22 Jul. 24: The Uttar Pradesh government’s recent directive for eateries to display owners’ names during the Kanwar Yatra has sparked significant backlash within the ruling alliance. Two Union ministers and their respective parties have called for the state to revoke the order, criticizing it as discriminatory. Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal United has joined the dissent, further intensifying the pressure on the government, reported the NDTV.
Chirag Paswan, chief of the Lok Janshakti Party and Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, has voiced strong opposition, asserting that he would “absolutely… never support or encourage” any division based on caste or religion.
Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary, the junior minister for education with independent charge of skill development, echoed these sentiments. He emphasized that Kanwariyas, participants in the religious pilgrimage, do not inquire about the religion of those serving them, and the issue should not be linked to any religious identity. Chaudhary criticized the order, suggesting it was made without proper consideration and urging the government to either roll it back or downplay its implementation.
Chaudhary also questioned the practicality of such identifiers, rhetorically asking if individuals should now wear name tags to denote their religion. His comments reflect the concerns of many, particularly in western Uttar Pradesh, where his party has a strong presence.
Adding to the opposition, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi warned that the order could incite communal tension and stressed the importance of non-discrimination based on religion or caste.
The contentious order, initiated by the Muzaffarnagar Police and later extended across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, has drawn severe criticism from opposition parties, who argue it targets Muslim traders. The issue was prominently raised in the traditional all-party meeting held before the parliament’s budget session, with Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi and Aam Aadmi Party’s Sanjay Singh among those condemning the decision.
As the controversy unfolds, the Uttar Pradesh government faces mounting pressure from within and outside its ranks to reconsider and potentially rescind the directive.
