Controversy Surrounds UP and Uttarakhand’s New Eateries Directive for Kanwar Yatra

The recent directive by police in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, requiring eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display owners' information, has sparked a political and communal uproar. Opposition parties argue it targets Muslim traders, while government officials claim it aims to prevent criminal incidents and promote transparency.

The Uttar Pradesh government is extending Muzaffarnagar Police's controversial order requiring eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owners' names. Concurrently, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed similar regulations in his state.

Critics, including opposition parties, claim the rule targets Muslim traders. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condemned it as an attack on the Constitution. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand's decision, covering areas like Haridwar, aims to prevent criminal incidents and promote transparency.

Authorities defend the action, citing the need for social harmony during the yatra. Despite this, the directive has drawn criticism from various political quarters, including from within the BJP, for its potential to incite communal tension.