18 Jul. 24: In preparation for the Kanwar Yatra, police in Muzaffarnagar have mandated that all eateries along the yatra route display the names of their owners or proprietors. This measure, according to Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishek Singh, aims to prevent any confusion among the kanwarias and avert potential law and order issues. Singh emphasized that this directive, covering a 240 km stretch, includes hotels, dhabas, and roadside carts.
The decision aligns with sentiments expressed earlier this month by Muzaffarnagar MLA and Minister of State Kapil Dev Aggarwal, who suggested that Muslim-owned businesses in the area should avoid naming their shops after Hindu deities to prevent conflict, reported the Indian Express.
This requirement follows a demand from last year by Swami Yashvir Maharaj, a prominent priest, that Muslim traders clearly display their names on shops and hotels.
Compliance among business owners has been observed. For example, a tea stall owner in Khatauli renamed his establishment from “Chai Lover’s Point” to “Waqeel Ahmad Tea Stall” to comply with the new directive.
Police are also making broader preparations for the Kanwar Yatra and Muharram processions. Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar stated that the government and police have planned traditional arrangements to maintain peace, including setting limits on DJ heights and volume during processions.
