After the Uttar Pradesh government on Friday mandated all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to dispaly their owners' names, triggering political outrage, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that similar instructions are already in place in the state. Dhami said that the decision was taken on July 12 at a meeting to review Kanwar Yatra's preparations.
The row over the display of owners' names started after the Muzaffarnagar Police issued an advisory earlier this week. The opposition members had slammed the move and stated that it targets Muslim traders and creates divide.
The police had however stated in its notice that the advisory to the eateries to display their owners's names was aimed at avoiding any confusion and prevent any law-and-order situation from arising.
Following the backlash, the Muzaffarnagar Police had issued a fresh advisory that made it voluntary for the owners to display their names. However, the Yogi Adityanath-led government made it mandatory today, saying the decision was taken to maintain the purity of faith of Kanwar pilgrims.
"Action will also be taken against those selling products with Halal certification," an official statement from CM's office said.
As the order was extended in UP, Aligarh SP Mrigank Shekhar Pathak said: "Instructions regarding the Kanwar Yatra are being strictly followed. To ensure the smooth functioning of the Kawar Yatra routes, encroachments are being removed, and requests are being made to food stall owners to clearly display their names and contact numbers. This is being done so that the Kanwars do not face any difficulties along the route."
Similar Advisory Issued In Uttarakhand
Similar to the advisory issued in Muzaffarnagar, the hotels, dhabas, and other roadside eateries along the yatra route in Uttarakhand have been asked to display their owners' names, mobile phone numbers, and addresses, PTI reported.
In Uttarakhand, the decision will mostly cover Haridwar but some 'kanwariyas' also visit Rishikesh, Gangotri, and Neelkanth during their Kanwar Yatra, which will begin on July 22.
Dhami said the purpose of the decision was not to target or put anyone in trouble.
"Why should anyone have any problem in introducing themselves," the Uttarakhand CM asked.
"There have been criminal incidents at Har ki Pauri in Haridwar in the past when tension broke out over some hotel and dhaba operators hiding their true identities," Dhami said, adding that the decision was aimed at preventing such incidents.
Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police, Pramod Singh Dobal said, “All those who operate hotels, dhabas, or street food stalls have been ordered to display the proprietor’s name, QR code, and mobile number at their establishment. Those who fail to comply will face strict action and will also be removed from the Kanwar route.”
Haryana CM Nayab Saini Welcomes UP, Uttarakhand Govt's Decision
Welcoming the decision, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini said: "Our Kanwariyas are vegetarians, nobody knows where meat is being cooked, at least they will know where to eat and stay. This is a good decision taken by the government, I appreciate it."
Inspector General of Garhwal K S Nagnygal told PTI that the decision was taken to ensure social harmony during the yatra.
Justifying the move, former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that it will help the devotees to decide where they want to eat, PTI reported.
Senior Congress leader in the state Harish Rawat stated that the decision taken by the UP and Uttarakhand governments was "unfortunate and painful."
"It will foment animosity between communities and bring disrepute to the country," PTI cited him as saying.
However, district police chief Abhishek Singh told reporters that everyone is following this voluntarily.
V K Mishra, in-charge of the weights and measures department of Meerut, also justified the decision saying that as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, every restaurant and dhaba 'sanchalak' is needed to display the owner's name and the licence number.