Supreme Court Halts Directive for Eateries Along Kanwar Yatra Route

The Supreme Court imposed an interim stay on orders from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand requiring eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display owner names. The directives were challenged by various bodies, including TMC MP Mahua Moitra. No one represented the state governments in court. The case will be heard further on Friday.

The Supreme Court on Monday imposed an interim stay on directives passed by the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments, which required eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners.

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S V N Bhatti issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh governments, demanding their replies on the pleas challenging the directive.

''We deem it appropriate to pass an interim order prohibiting the enforcement of the above directives. In other words, food sellers may be required to display the kind of food, but must not be forced to display names of owners or staff employed,'' the bench stated, while scheduling the matter for a further hearing on Friday.

No one appeared for the state governments in the matter. The top court was hearing pleas filed by NGO Association of Protection of Civil Rights, TMC MP Mahua Moitra, and others challenging the directive. Moitra's plea argued that such directives aggravate discord between communities.

Besides them, the BJP-ruled Ujjain Municipal Corporation had also issued a similar directive for shop owners. Violators will have to pay a Rs 2,000 fine for the first offense and Rs 5,000 if they defy the order for the second time, according to Ujjain Mayor Mukesh Tatwal. The mayor clarified that this order aimed to ensure safety and transparency and was not intended to target Muslim shopkeepers.

Ujjain is renowned for its sacred Mahakal temple, attracting devotees globally, especially during the Savaan month, which commenced on Monday. Extensive arrangements have been made across several states for the Kanwar Yatra, which started on Monday with the beginning of the Sawan month of the Hindu calendar. During this Yatra, lakhs of Shiva devotees carry holy water from the Ganges in Haridwar to their homes, offering it at Shiva temples on their way.