Supreme Court Halts Directive Mandating Name Displays During Kanwar Yatra

The Supreme Court has issued an interim stay on Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand government's orders requiring eateries on Kanwar Yatra routes to display owner names. The Congress has welcomed the decision, asserting it was an unconstitutional move meant to promote religious discrimination. The order has spurred debate among political parties.

The Congress Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's stay on Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments' orders asking eateries on the Kanwar Yatra routes to display the owners' names. The party hopes Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make BJP chief ministers aware of their 'raj dharma'.

The Supreme Court issued an interim stay on the directives from the two BJP-ruled states. These directives required eatery owners to display names, staff details, and other information, which the opposition claims promote religious discrimination.

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti issued notices to the UP, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh governments. The Ujjain municipal body in MP had issued a similar directive. The bench, however, said eateries might be required to indicate whether they serve vegetarian or non-vegetarian food.

Reacting to the development, Congress' media and publicity chief, Pawan Khera, said, 'We welcome the stay given by the Supreme Court on the completely unconstitutional orders by the Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh governments. We hope the prime minister makes his chief ministers aware of their 'raj dharma'.'

'We hope his CMs don't defy him. Although the prime minister's position in his party is considerably weakened, we hope he retrieves that position and stops his chief ministers from indulging in such unconstitutional measures,' he added.

A large number of devotees travel to perform 'jalabhishek' during the month of 'Shravan', carrying holy water from the Ganga. Many believers refrain from consuming meat during this holy month.

The significant order comes amid an escalating row over the directives, with BJP ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) joining the chorus for their withdrawal. Opposition parties have vowed to raise the issue in Parliament.

The directives have been criticized as 'communal and divisive,' allegedly targeting Muslims and Scheduled Castes by forcing them to reveal their identity. However, the BJP maintains that the measures are intended to address law and order issues and respect the religious sentiments of pilgrims.