By Muslim Mirror Staff
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district have stirred controversy by directing dhabas, food stalls, and hotels along the Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage route to prominently display the names of their Muslim owners. This directive aims to prevent confusion among devotees participating in the annual Hindu pilgrimage, set to commence on July 22.
Muzaffarnagar’s senior superintendent of police, Abhishek Singh, justified the decision, stating, “The decision was taken to avoid confusion among devotees and prevent potential law and order issues.”
Earlier demands by Yashveer Maharaj, a local priest, reportedly influenced the directive. In 2023, Maharaj had insisted that Muslim-owned establishments display their names prominently, a request that seemingly led to the recent directive from authorities.
During the Kanwar Yatra, devotees known as Kanwariyas travel long distances on foot to collect water from the Ganga at Haridwar and carry it back to their home states for temple offerings. This year’s yatra will span from July 22 to August 2.
In response to the directive, Muzaffarnagar’s City Magistrate Vikas Kashyap specified that the names of Muslim owners must be clearly displayed alongside their business names or on separate display boards.
Uttar Pradesh minister Kapil Dev Aggarwal, addressing concerns about Hindu dietary preferences, stated, “While I have no objection to Muslim-owned businesses, their shops should not be named after Hindu deities to avoid confusion among Kanwariyas expecting vegetarian food.”
The directive has sparked criticism from various quarters. Congress leader Pawan Khera condemned the directive as “state-sponsored bigotry” and called for public opposition.
Navaid Hamid of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) criticized the directive’s justification, highlighting existing bans on non-vegetarian food sales along the Kanwar route.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in power in Uttar Pradesh since March 2017, faces mounting scrutiny over the directive’s implications for religious harmony and business freedoms.
Why are Muslims not moving supreme court against “Muslim businessmen in Muzaffarnagar ordered to display their names prominently during Kanwar Yatra”
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Hemraj Jain