The recent directive by Muzaffarnagar police requiring eatery owners along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their names has sparked significant controversy. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has condemned the order, stating it violates the Constitution’s principles.
“Creating division in society on the basis of caste and religion is a crime against the Constitution. This order should be withdrawn immediately and strict action should be taken against the officials who issued it,” Priyanka Gandhi posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. She emphasized that the Constitution guarantees no discrimination based on caste, religion, language, or any other factor. According to her, the order to put up name boards is an attack on the nation’s democratic values and shared heritage.
The police issued this order to prevent confusion during the Kanwar Yatra, a significant annual pilgrimage by devotees of Lord Shiva, starting on July 22. Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishek Singh stated, “Preparations have begun for the Kanwar Yatra. In the area under our jurisdiction, which is around 240 km, all eateries, hotels, dhabas, and thelas (roadside carts) have been instructed to display the names of their proprietors or those running the shop. This is being done to ensure that there’s no confusion among the kanwariyas and no allegations are raised in the future, leading to a law and order situation. Everyone is following this of their own free will.”
However, the move has faced severe backlash from opposition parties. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi alleged that the order aims to ensure that no ‘Kanwariya’ purchases from Muslim-owned shops. Opposition leaders likened the directive to “apartheid” in South Africa and discriminatory policies in Nazi Germany, criticizing it as a divisive tactic.
As the controversy escalated, the police clarified that the intent behind the order was not to incite religious discrimination but to facilitate the pilgrims’ journey. Despite the clarification, the directive has ignited a broader debate on religious harmony and constitutional rights in India.
The Kanwar Yatra, a major event for Lord Shiva’s devotees, involves millions of pilgrims traveling on foot to collect holy water from the Ganges River. The event, known for its large-scale participation, necessitates extensive logistical preparations to ensure safety and order along the route.