Controversy Over UP and Uttarakhand's Order for Eateries Along Kanwar Yatra Route

The Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments have ordered all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display owners' names. Critics argue it targets Muslim traders and could foment communal tensions. Proponents say it's for safety and transparency. Opposition leaders and some ruling members condemn it as discriminatory.

The Uttar Pradesh government is set to extend a controversial Muzaffarnagar police order statewide, mandating all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route display their owners' names. This measure mirrors one already in place in Uttarakhand, as confirmed by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

The directive has sparked significant political backlash, with opposition parties and some ruling alliance members alleging it targets Muslim traders. A UP government spokesperson indicated the formal order could be issued soon.

In Uttarakhand, eateries along the yatra route have been instructed to display owners' names, addresses, and phone numbers, aimed at preventing criminal incidents and maintaining social harmony. While some BJP leaders justify the move as beneficial for pilgrims, Congress leaders decry it as divisive and harmful to inter-community relations.