Congress Decries 'Bigotry' in UP, Uttarakhand Eateries Order

The Congress termed a recent order by UP and Uttarakhand, asking eateries on the Kanwar Yatra route to display owners' names, as 'mischief' and 'bigotry'. Priyanka Gandhi and other Congress leaders demanded its withdrawal, claiming it targets Muslim traders and attacks the Constitution. The ruling parties justified the order, citing food safety concerns.

The Congress on Friday condemned an order by the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments, mandating all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owners' names, calling it 'mischief' and 'bigotry'. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra described it as 'an attack on the Constitution'.

She urged immediate withdrawal of the directive and strict action against the officials responsible for its issuance. Echoing her sentiments, Pawan Khera, head of Congress' media and publicity department, criticized the order as 'absolute mischief' aimed at creating division.

This move, initiated by the Muzaffarnagar Police, has faced backlash from opposition parties and some ruling alliance members, who argue it unfairly targets Muslim traders. Despite the controversy, the Uttar Pradesh government plans to implement the directive statewide, with similar measures already in place in Uttarakhand.