Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has condemned the recent directives by the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments requiring eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owners’ names, labeling the move as a “divisive agenda” and urging its withdrawal.
The controversy began when Muzaffarnagar Police instructed eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners. This directive was subsequently extended statewide by the Uttar Pradesh government on Friday. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that similar measures are already in place in his state.
In a post on X, Sibal questioned the implications of such directives: “Kanwar Yatra Route. UP directs eateries including roadside carts to display names of owners! Is this the route to a ‘Viksit Bharat’?” He further argued that “Divisive agendas will only divide the country!”
At a press conference, Sibal criticized the political maneuvering surrounding the Kanwar Yatra, asserting that it detracts from India’s progress towards becoming a “Viksit Bharat” (developed nation). He emphasized that such issues, when politicized, create unnecessary controversies and distract from more pressing economic and political challenges.
“The Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Chief Ministers should refrain from raising issues that lead to political controversies and harm common people. Such issues only escalate tensions, cause losses to traders, and divert attention from critical matters that should be discussed in Parliament,” Sibal said.
He also suggested that the timing of these directives, coinciding with upcoming elections in three states, might be aimed at generating controversy to benefit specific political interests.
Sibal’s remarks have sparked a wider debate on the implications of these orders, with critics arguing that they could exacerbate tensions and disrupt local economies. The situation continues to evolve as stakeholders and policymakers weigh in on the contentious issue.