The court's interim order prohibits the enforcement of this directive, emphasizing that while food sellers and hawkers must indicate the kind of food they serve...
Digital Desk: The Supreme Court has placed an interim stay until July 26 on the Uttar Pradesh government’s directive requiring shopkeepers along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of owners and employees. However, the court mandated that shop owners must display the type of food they are serving to Kanwariyas.
A Bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti issued the notice on a batch of petitions challenging the government directive, stating that the order constitutes “exclusion by identity.” The court's interim order prohibits the enforcement of this directive, emphasizing that while food sellers and hawkers must indicate the kind of food they serve, they should not be forced to disclose their names.
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand had instructed shop owners and hawkers on the Kanwar Yatra route to display their names outside their premises. The holy month of Sawan 2024 began on Monday, July 22. During this period, devotees carried Kanwar, a bamboo pole with pitchers filled with Ganga Jal, and traveled to Lord Shiva temples. One of the most popular routes is from Haridwar to the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Rishikesh or the Pura Mahadeva Temple in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh.
The Supreme Court heard pleas filed by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, Delhi University Professor Apoorvanand with activist Aakar Patel, and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra against the directive issued by Uttar Pradesh Police. Moitra's plea argued that such directives exacerbate discord between communities.
Both Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments had issued orders asking eateries on the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners. Similarly, the BJP-ruled Ujjain Municipal Corporation directed shop owners to display their names and mobile numbers outside their establishments in the ancient city. Ujjain Mayor Mukesh Tatwal stated that violators would face a fine of Rs 2,000 for the first offense and Rs 5,000 for the second offense. The mayor clarified that the order aims to ensure safety and transparency and is not intended to target Muslim shopkeepers.
The Supreme Court's decision provides temporary relief to the shopkeepers, and the matter will be reviewed further to determine the appropriateness of such directives in maintaining communal harmony and transparency during the Kanwar Yatra.
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