<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with his entire cabinet, took a sacred dip in the Triveni Sangam at the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday (Jan 22), in Prayagraj. The event followed a special cabinet meeting held at the religious site, with the state's 54 ministers present for the significant gathering.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Watch | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, along with Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya, Brajesh Pathak, and other cabinet ministers, took a holy dip in Triveni Sangam during the ongoing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mahakumbh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mahakumbh</a> in Prayagraj.<br><br>Take a look!<br><br>(Source: ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MahaKumbhMela?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MahaKumbhMela</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MahaKumbhMela2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MahaKumbhMela2024</a> <a href="https://t.co/JC0dy0g7wT">pic.twitter.com/JC0dy0g7wT</a></p>
&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1882007049846079707?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Special Cabinet meeting at Maha Kumbh</strong></h2>
<p>The Uttar Pradesh government convened a special cabinet meeting at the Maha Kumbh, which is one of the world&rsquo;s largest spiritual gatherings. The meeting is expected to approve key proposals and initiatives aimed at furthering the state's development.&nbsp;</p>
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<p lang="hi" dir="ltr">तत्राभिषेकं यः कुर्यात् संगमे शंसितव्रतः।<br>तुल्यं फलमवाप्नोति राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः॥<br><br>एकता, समता और समरसता के महासमागम, भारतीयता और मानवता के महोत्सव, महाकुम्भ-2025, प्रयागराज में आज अपने मंत्रिमंडल के मा. सदस्यों के साथ पवित्र त्रिवेणी संगम में पावन स्नान का सौभाग्य प्राप्त हुआ।<br><br>माँ&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/W9er56u5FD">pic.twitter.com/W9er56u5FD</a></p>
&mdash; Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) <a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath/status/1881997526615650546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<br>UP Director General of Police Prashant Kumar had confirmed that the cabinet meeting was scheduled for noon, after which the ministers and CM Adityanath would participate in the holy dip at the Sangam. Preparations for the event were closely monitored to ensure smooth logistics and improved facilities for the attendees.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also Read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-cm-nitish-kumars-jdu-withdraws-support-from-bjp-govt-in-indias-manipur-8643882">Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's JD(U) withdraws support to BJP govt in India's Manipur: Reports</a></p>
<p>Following the meeting, Minister of State for Minority Welfare, Danish Azad Ansari, spoke with enthusiasm about the government's ongoing efforts to uplift Uttar Pradesh. "Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, our government is focused on the state&rsquo;s development, especially youth empowerment and women&rsquo;s welfare," Ansari said. "We aim to take Uttar Pradesh to new heights of progress and make it an 'Uttam Pradesh'."</p>
<p><strong>Also Read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-ugc-row-against-which-kerala-assembly-passed-resolution-8643595">What is UGC row, against which Kerala Assembly passed resolution?</a></p>
<p>As the Maha Kumbh continues, safety remains a top priority. Over 10,000 personnel from the Uttar Pradesh Police, including paramilitary forces, have been deployed to ensure the security of devotees. Additionally, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has stationed a "water ambulance" at the Sangam to ensure the safety of those participating in the religious rituals.</p>
<h2><strong>Historic significance of the day</strong></h2>
<p>UP Minister Jaiveer Singh also reflected on the historical significance of the day. He stated, "It is a historic day. After 500 years of struggle and sacrifices, on this day last year, 'Ram Lalla' became 'virajman' in Ayodhya. Today, we have the opportunity to attend the world's largest spiritual gathering of Mahakumbh. It is due to the blessings of God that we have got this opportunity today. What is more fortunate is that the UP is headed by a 'sant' and a Cabinet meeting will be held here, in which many decisions for the welfare of the people will be taken...All members of the Cabinet will take a holy dip in Triveni Sangam today."</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>
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India News: The event followed a special cabinet meeting held at the religious site, with the state's 54 ministers present for the significant gathering.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with his entire cabinet, took a sacred dip in the Triveni Sangam at the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday (Jan 22), in Prayagraj. The event followed a special cabinet meeting held at the religious site, with the state's 54 ministers present for the significant gathering. Watch | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, along with Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya, Brajesh Pathak, and other cabinet ministers, took a holy dip in Triveni Sangam during the ongoing #Mahakumbh in Prayagraj. Take a look! (Source: ANI) #MahaKumbhMela #MahaKumbhMela2024 pic.twitter.com/JC0dy0g7wT — WION (@WIONews) January 22, 2025 Special Cabinet meeting at Maha Kumbh The Uttar Pradesh government convened a special cabinet meeting at the Maha Kumbh, which is one of the world’s largest spiritual gatherings. The meeting is expected to approve key proposals and initiatives aimed at furthering the state's development. तत्राभिषेकं यः कुर्यात् संगमे शंसितव्रतः। तुल्यं फलमवाप्नोति राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः॥ एकता, समता और समरसता के महासमागम, भारतीयता और मानवता के महोत्सव, महाकुम्भ-2025, प्रयागराज में आज अपने मंत्रिमंडल के मा. सदस्यों के साथ पवित्र त्रिवेणी संगम में पावन स्नान का सौभाग्य प्राप्त हुआ। माँ… pic.twitter.com/W9er56u5FD — Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) January 22, 2025 UP Director General of Police Prashant Kumar had confirmed that the cabinet meeting was scheduled for noon, after which the ministers and CM Adityanath would participate in the holy dip at the Sangam. Preparations for the event were closely monitored to ensure smooth logistics and improved facilities for the attendees. Also Read | Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's JD(U) withdraws support to BJP govt in India's Manipur: Reports Following the meeting, Minister of State for Minority Welfare, Danish Azad Ansari, spoke with enthusiasm about the government's ongoing efforts to uplift Uttar Pradesh. "Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, our government is focused on the state’s development, especially youth empowerment and women’s welfare," Ansari said. "We aim to take Uttar Pradesh to new heights of progress and make it an 'Uttam Pradesh'." Also Read | What is UGC row, against which Kerala Assembly passed resolution? As the Maha Kumbh continues, safety remains a top priority. Over 10,000 personnel from the Uttar Pradesh Police, including paramilitary forces, have been deployed to ensure the security of devotees. Additionally, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has stationed a "water ambulance" at the Sangam to ensure the safety of those participating in the religious rituals. Historic significance of the day UP Minister Jaiveer Singh also reflected on the historical significance of the day. He stated, "It is a historic day. After 500 years of struggle and sacrifices, on this day last year, 'Ram Lalla' became 'virajman' in Ayodhya. Today, we have the opportunity to attend the world's largest spiritual gathering of Mahakumbh. It is due to the blessings of God that we have got this opportunity today. What is more fortunate is that the UP is headed by a 'sant' and a Cabinet meeting will be held here, in which many decisions for the welfare of the people will be taken...All members of the Cabinet will take a holy dip in Triveni Sangam today." (With inputs from agencies)

Maha Kumbh: UP CM Yogi Adityanath takes holy dip in Sangam with cabinet after special meeting. Watch

<p>Opposition in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has slammed the state government of PM Narendra Modi&rsquo;s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) amidst the ongoing controversy over a mosque in the city of Sambhal. Akhilesh Yadav, the chief of the Samajwadi Party (SP), claimed that the residence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow should also be excavated as there was a &lsquo;Shivling&rsquo; under it.</p>
<p>&ldquo;There is a Shivling under the Chief Minister's residence in Lucknow. We know this. It should also be excavated,&rdquo; the SP chief said Sunday while talking to reporters in UP&rsquo;s capital city. His statement came amidst massive row over the ongoing excavation of a Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal, called Shahi Jama Masjid. The initiative by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), mandated by a court order, has been taken to investigate claims that the structure was built over a demolished Hindu temple.</p>
<p>On November 24, major communal clashes had erupted in Sambhal as a massive mob of Muslim men went up in arms against the authorities. The local lawmaker from the SP party has been accused by the authorities of inciting a crowd to attack police personnel and ASI officials.</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sambhal-violence-cong-calls-incident-a-planned-conspiracy-security-tightened-outside-mosque-778972">Sambhal violence: Cong calls incident a 'planned conspiracy'; security tightened outside mosque</a></strong></p>
<p>The SP chief earlier accused the BJP government of using such excavations to distract the masses from pressing issues like unemployment and the agrarian crisis and fuel religious polarisation.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"Digging everywhere will not get us to any solution. There is a Places of Worship Act in our country that prohibits such things," Yadav said last week. He was referring to the law that protects the religious character of places of worship in India. Yadav added that the level of unemployment has reached a record level over the past 10 years of BJP rule in the state.</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

India News | Yadav’s statement came amidst massive row over the ongoing excavation of a Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal, called Shahi Jama Masjid.

Opposition in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has slammed the state government of PM Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) amidst the ongoing controversy over a mosque in the city of Sambhal. Akhilesh Yadav, the chief of the Samajwadi Party (SP), claimed that the residence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow should also be excavated as there was a ‘Shivling’ under it. “There is a Shivling under the Chief Minister's residence in Lucknow. We know this. It should also be excavated,” the SP chief said Sunday while talking to reporters in UP’s capital city. His statement came amidst massive row over the ongoing excavation of a Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal, called Shahi Jama Masjid. The initiative by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), mandated by a court order, has been taken to investigate claims that the structure was built over a demolished Hindu temple. On November 24, major communal clashes had erupted in Sambhal as a massive mob of Muslim men went up in arms against the authorities. The local lawmaker from the SP party has been accused by the authorities of inciting a crowd to attack police personnel and ASI officials. Also read: Sambhal violence: Cong calls incident a 'planned conspiracy'; security tightened outside mosque The SP chief earlier accused the BJP government of using such excavations to distract the masses from pressing issues like unemployment and the agrarian crisis and fuel religious polarisation. "Digging everywhere will not get us to any solution. There is a Places of Worship Act in our country that prohibits such things," Yadav said last week. He was referring to the law that protects the religious character of places of worship in India. Yadav added that the level of unemployment has reached a record level over the past 10 years of BJP rule in the state. (With inputs from agencies)

India: ‘There’s Shivling under...,’ Akhilesh takes dig at UP CM Yogi amid Sambhal row

Noida-Greater Noida Metro inaugurated, opens for public Saturday

<p>Seventeen people died and 25 were injured after a bus hit a divider and crashed near Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh early Wednesday morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A number of people had been travelling on the roof of the bus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The injured were rushed to hospital.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bus, carrying 60-70 people, was coming from Jaipur in Rajasthan and heading towards Farrukhabad. The accident happened near Tirathpur village at around 5.30 am, Mainpuri Superintendent of Police Ajay Shankar Rai told PTI over the phone.</p>

<p>Sixteen people, including a woman, died on the spot while another person succumbed to his injuries at Saifai hospital, Rai said. Their identities were being ascertained.</p>

<p>Rai added that some of the injured were in critical condition.</p>

<p>That included the bus driver. Rai said doctors had had to amputate the driver's left leg.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is not yet known what caused the accident although news reports said the driver had been speeding before the crash.&nbsp;</p>

<p>UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced ex-gratia&nbsp;payments of Rs 2 lakh to the families of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">17 dead,more than 35 injured after a private bus hit a divider and overturned near Mainpuri <a href="https://t.co/ySVQzf43TQ">pic.twitter.com/ySVQzf43TQ</a></p>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1006726280111222785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em>&nbsp;</p>


News reports said three of the injured were in critical condition

Seventeen people died and 25 were injured after a bus hit a divider and crashed near Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh early Wednesday morning. A number of people had been travelling on the roof of the bus. The injured were rushed to hospital. The bus, carrying 60-70 people, was coming from Jaipur in Rajasthan and heading towards Farrukhabad. The accident happened near Tirathpur village at around 5.30 am, Mainpuri Superintendent of Police Ajay Shankar Rai told PTI over the phone. Sixteen people, including a woman, died on the spot while another person succumbed to his injuries at Saifai hospital, Rai said. Their identities were being ascertained. Rai added that some of the injured were in critical condition. That included the bus driver. Rai said doctors had had to amputate the driver's left leg. It is not yet known what caused the accident although news reports said the driver had been speeding before the crash. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced ex-gratia payments of Rs 2 lakh to the families of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured. 17 dead,more than 35 injured after a private bus hit a divider and overturned near Mainpuri pic.twitter.com/ySVQzf43TQ — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 13, 2018 × (With inputs from PTI)

UP: 17 dead, 25 injured after bus hits divider, crashes near Mainpuri

<p>What is in a slaughterhouse? You may ask. A lot evidently.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Going by the pronouncements of the BJP president Amit Shah and the UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the party is putting considerable economic import on the slaughterhouses. The desire for development and the fight against corruption have, apparently, found a new focus. In one broad sweeping stroke, the monk-chief minister has banned illegal slaughterhouses of the state in the name of economic revival.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Arguably, too many cows have been trafficked and killed so far, and the state needs them to boost its dairy industry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, it needs to be made clear that the chief minister did not make an explicit connection between the economic rationale and the ban on abattoir. The connection has been kept ambiguous, perhaps intentionally, leading to the common assumption that the ban would, in the long run, serve to revitalise the state&rsquo;s cattle resources.&nbsp;</p>

<p>More ambiguities plague BJP&rsquo;s stand on the matter. For instance, is the party and its government in Uttar Pradesh only after illegal meat shops or are they, generally, after every slaughterhouses in the region? The confusion results from the fact that, whereas, Yogi Adityanath has imposed a ban on the illegal ones, Amit Shah in his <a href="http://www.businesstoday.in/current/economy-politics/india-today-conclave-amit-shah-bjp-narendra-modi-conclave-2017/story/248235.html">interview</a> to a national daily publicly expressed his intention to ban all abattoirs-legal and illegal - if voted to power.</p>

<p>And, from what is getting reported, it is evident that the Uttar Pradesh government is cracking down on outlets, selling all kinds of raw meat and fish.&nbsp;My husband just called me last evening to inform that the fishermen and chicken shop owners from whom we buy our regular supplies are being forced to closed down their shops. They are selling their stuff at a heavy discount because they don&#39;t know whether they will ever be able to do business again in Noida.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This morning not a single fish or chicken shops were opened in our neighbourhood.</p>

<p><strong>Monitoring the nation&#39;s diet</strong></p>

<p>As the BJP government starts cracking down on fish and meat outlets, it will amount to a direct onslaught on the eating habit of the nation. And, not necessarily on beef. Beef selling is already illegal in Uttar Pradesh. Besides beef, such an act will come to impact selling of other kinds of non-vegetarian items too. A slaughterhouse, as per definition and also in terms of practise, sells mutton, chicken, lamb and fish. Closing it down would mean denying non-vegetarians an access to their staple diet. &nbsp;</p>

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<h5>When&nbsp;the government closes these outlets without allowing a window of opportunity to get a permit, it amounts to an act of coercion</h5>
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<p>Unlike the medical sector in India, the food market of the country is not as strictly regulated. Most of our vegetables and sources of protein are bought from local street-side shops, vendors and, even, hawkers. When&nbsp;the government closes these outlets without allowing a window of opportunity to get a permit, it amounts to an act of coercion, both on the seller and the consumer. In doing it, the government denies its very citizens an access to livelihood or to staple food.</p>

<p>The arbitrary nature of the act instigates confusion and panic. Unfortunately, vigillantes take opportunity of the volatile situtation to forcefully close down and, worse still, burn down outlets. As we have seen has happened in <a href="http://www.news18.com/news/india/mob-sets-meat-shops-on-fire-in-ups-hathras-district-1362678.html">Hathras</a> district yesterday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>What we eat is a very personal act, with deep emotional and cultural connections. In multiple ways, it constitutes our identity, our expression of love and celebration. Altering&nbsp;people&rsquo;s food choices to suit it to a grand but, largely, a false vision of a vegetarian Hindu Rashtra will encroach on the citizen&rsquo;s civil rights, amounting to state coercion.</p>

<p>So, as BJP lost no time in banning the illegal slaughterhouses, it should express equal zest in clearing its position about non-vegetarian food habits of the majority of the Indian citizens.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Aggressive Nationalism</strong></p>

<p>Undoubtedly, the state administration of Uttar Pradesh is well within its purview to control the sprouting meat shops in the region. Like all public health conscious countries of the world, India needs to regulate the condition in which meat is being sold and processed. It should also take steps against illegal trafficking of cattle resources. In the name of economic growth and animal rights, these facets of the issue are fair and square.</p>

<p>But economic logic often veils the bigger cultural agenda of the state; one that relates to what one eats, wears and enjoys to do. Food, dresses and music look apparently trivial subjects when compared to economic and defense issues but are integral to the nationalistic agenda of the state. The goal of &ldquo;one nation with one vision&rdquo; often turns out to be exclusionary in its pursuit; it tries to mold its citizens who come with diverse sets of practises and habits into a homogenous category. Under the circumstance, the state tries to impose cultural norms in the name of unity, morality and improvement.</p>

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<h5>The state tries to impose cultural norms in the name of unity, morality and improvement.</h5>
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<p>A singular vision of India, be it Nehruvian ideal of modernity or the Hindutva&nbsp;model, has continued to underlie the policies and action of the state. Over time, the project has accrued an aggressive tone which was missing in the past. Within the ambit of this singular vision, the state acts as the guardian: the well-meaning, matured, and all-knowing entity. The guardian state does not act at the same level as the citizen. Rather, it guides the people - the perennial children - &nbsp;into fulfilling the role of responsible citizens. However, the responsible behaviour is always understood as one of complicity with state-led agenda.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>In love with the decisive state</strong></p>

<p>Such complicity or collusion between zealous defendants of the principles of Hindu Rashtra and the state machinery is very much evident. The other day, a journalist in Hyderabad called the cops as he saw two fellow citizens not standing up while the national anthem was being played in the cinema hall. On behalf of the recently constituted anti-Romeo squads to protect &ldquo;women&rsquo;s self-respect&rdquo;, a local woman was seen intervening when she&nbsp;saw a man&nbsp;interacting with members of opposite sex.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The evident vigilantism in the name of patriotism, respect and decency is nothing but an intrusion into democratic space. Backed by overwhelming success in the recent election, the Hindutva ideologues think they have the electoral backing to implement their &ldquo;ideas of India&rdquo; into practise. Hence, no discussion or deliberation over the issue has taken place so far. And, there is little chance of it happening in the future, no matter how hoarse the opposition parties get, calling the ban a &ldquo;polarisation&rdquo; act. &nbsp;</p>

<p>If social media is any proof of popular support to the ban, I should say that BJP need not fear of reprisals. At least, not immediately. What has caught the public imagination is primarily the decisiveness of the act; BJP promised and it has delivered. Unlike the other political parties, it has not backdown&nbsp;on its election manifesto.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ban on illegal slaughter houses<br />
Says no to Lal batti<br />
Ban on Gutka consumption in gov. offices<br />
.<br />
.<br />
Kaam bolta hai.... ??????</p>
&mdash; Antique Chhori (@AntiqueChhori) <a href="https://twitter.com/AntiqueChhori/status/844476869403725824">March 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some have even gone so far as to suggest why the Muslim chief minister of Kashmir has failed to ban liquor in the state. So, we witness the same fascination with an excercise of authority; the love for a strong man who is assumed to be acting on some principles.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A pro Hindu person becomes CM bans Slaughter houses on the first day n here a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Muslim?src=hash">#Muslim</a> CM cant not ban liqour in Kashmir. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Islam?src=hash">#Islam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kashmir?src=hash">#Kashmir</a></p>
&mdash; Dr. Imrose Rashid (@ImroseRashid) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImroseRashid/status/844497815489466369">March 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are only a few, very few, who have expressed concern at the ban becoming a harassment too.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath">@myogiadityanath</a> ban on ILLEGAL slaughter houses is good but need 2 ensure it doesn&#39;t become a harassment tool, can&#39;t b torching meat shops</p>
&mdash; Sunil Jain (@thesuniljain) <a href="https://twitter.com/thesuniljain/status/844727298846711809">March 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>While participants in the social media rejoice the decisiveness of the act, let us not forget that a democratically elected government does not function like a totalitarian state. No matter how good the idea sounds, its implementation should not be an imposition. The state should&nbsp;not presume to know better than its citizens.</p>


We should be very worried as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath bans slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh

What is in a slaughterhouse? You may ask. A lot evidently. Going by the pronouncements of the BJP president Amit Shah and the UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the party is putting considerable economic import on the slaughterhouses. The desire for development and the fight against corruption have, apparently, found a new focus. In one broad sweeping stroke, the monk-chief minister has banned illegal slaughterhouses of the state in the name of economic revival. Arguably, too many cows have been trafficked and killed so far, and the state needs them to boost its dairy industry. However, it needs to be made clear that the chief minister did not make an explicit connection between the economic rationale and the ban on abattoir. The connection has been kept ambiguous, perhaps intentionally, leading to the common assumption that the ban would, in the long run, serve to revitalise the state’s cattle resources. More ambiguities plague BJP’s stand on the matter. For instance, is the party and its government in Uttar Pradesh only after illegal meat shops or are they, generally, after every slaughterhouses in the region? The confusion results from the fact that, whereas, Yogi Adityanath has imposed a ban on the illegal ones, Amit Shah in his interview to a national daily publicly expressed his intention to ban all abattoirs-legal and illegal - if voted to power. And, from what is getting reported, it is evident that the Uttar Pradesh government is cracking down on outlets, selling all kinds of raw meat and fish. My husband just called me last evening to inform that the fishermen and chicken shop owners from whom we buy our regular supplies are being forced to closed down their shops. They are selling their stuff at a heavy discount because they don't know whether they will ever be able to do business again in Noida. This morning not a single fish or chicken shops were opened in our neighbourhood. Monitoring the nation's diet As the BJP government starts cracking down on fish and meat outlets, it will amount to a direct onslaught on the eating habit of the nation. And, not necessarily on beef. Beef selling is already illegal in Uttar Pradesh. Besides beef, such an act will come to impact selling of other kinds of non-vegetarian items too. A slaughterhouse, as per definition and also in terms of practise, sells mutton, chicken, lamb and fish. Closing it down would mean denying non-vegetarians an access to their staple diet. When the government closes these outlets without allowing a window of opportunity to get a permit, it amounts to an act of coercion × Unlike the medical sector in India, the food market of the country is not as strictly regulated. Most of our vegetables and sources of protein are bought from local street-side shops, vendors and, even, hawkers. When the government closes these outlets without allowing a window of opportunity to get a permit, it amounts to an act of coercion, both on the seller and the consumer. In doing it, the government denies its very citizens an access to livelihood or to staple food. The arbitrary nature of the act instigates confusion and panic. Unfortunately, vigillantes take opportunity of the volatile situtation to forcefully close down and, worse still, burn down outlets. As we have seen has happened in Hathras district yesterday. What we eat is a very personal act, with deep emotional and cultural connections. In multiple ways, it constitutes our identity, our expression of love and celebration. Altering people’s food choices to suit it to a grand but, largely, a false vision of a vegetarian Hindu Rashtra will encroach on the citizen’s civil rights, amounting to state coercion. So, as BJP lost no time in banning the illegal slaughterhouses, it should express equal zest in clearing its position about non-vegetarian food habits of the majority of the Indian citizens. Aggressive Nationalism Undoubtedly, the state administration of Uttar Pradesh is well within its purview to control the sprouting meat shops in the region. Like all public health conscious countries of the world, India needs to regulate the condition in which meat is being sold and processed. It should also take steps against illegal trafficking of cattle resources. In the name of economic growth and animal rights, these facets of the issue are fair and square. But economic logic often veils the bigger cultural agenda of the state; one that relates to what one eats, wears and enjoys to do. Food, dresses and music look apparently trivial subjects when compared to economic and defense issues but are integral to the nationalistic agenda of the state. The goal of “one nation with one vision” often turns out to be exclusionary in its pursuit; it tries to mold its citizens who come with diverse sets of practises and habits into a homogenous category. Under the circumstance, the state tries to impose cultural norms in the name of unity, morality and improvement. The state tries to impose cultural norms in the name of unity, morality and improvement. × A singular vision of India, be it Nehruvian ideal of modernity or the Hindutva model, has continued to underlie the policies and action of the state. Over time, the project has accrued an aggressive tone which was missing in the past. Within the ambit of this singular vision, the state acts as the guardian: the well-meaning, matured, and all-knowing entity. The guardian state does not act at the same level as the citizen. Rather, it guides the people - the perennial children - into fulfilling the role of responsible citizens. However, the responsible behaviour is always understood as one of complicity with state-led agenda. In love with the decisive state Such complicity or collusion between zealous defendants of the principles of Hindu Rashtra and the state machinery is very much evident. The other day, a journalist in Hyderabad called the cops as he saw two fellow citizens not standing up while the national anthem was being played in the cinema hall. On behalf of the recently constituted anti-Romeo squads to protect “women’s self-respect”, a local woman was seen intervening when she saw a man interacting with members of opposite sex. The evident vigilantism in the name of patriotism, respect and decency is nothing but an intrusion into democratic space. Backed by overwhelming success in the recent election, the Hindutva ideologues think they have the electoral backing to implement their “ideas of India” into practise. Hence, no discussion or deliberation over the issue has taken place so far. And, there is little chance of it happening in the future, no matter how hoarse the opposition parties get, calling the ban a “polarisation” act. If social media is any proof of popular support to the ban, I should say that BJP need not fear of reprisals. At least, not immediately. What has caught the public imagination is primarily the decisiveness of the act; BJP promised and it has delivered. Unlike the other political parties, it has not backdown on its election manifesto. Ban on illegal slaughter houses Says no to Lal batti Ban on Gutka consumption in gov. offices . . Kaam bolta hai.... ?????? — Antique Chhori (@AntiqueChhori) March 22, 2017 × Some have even gone so far as to suggest why the Muslim chief minister of Kashmir has failed to ban liquor in the state. So, we witness the same fascination with an excercise of authority; the love for a strong man who is assumed to be acting on some principles. A pro Hindu person becomes CM bans Slaughter houses on the first day n here a #Muslim CM cant not ban liqour in Kashmir. #Islam #Kashmir — Dr. Imrose Rashid (@ImroseRashid) March 22, 2017 × There are only a few, very few, who have expressed concern at the ban becoming a harassment too. .@myogiadityanath ban on ILLEGAL slaughter houses is good but need 2 ensure it doesn't become a harassment tool, can't b torching meat shops — Sunil Jain (@thesuniljain) March 23, 2017 × While participants in the social media rejoice the decisiveness of the act, let us not forget that a democratically elected government does not function like a totalitarian state. No matter how good the idea sounds, its implementation should not be an imposition. The state should not presume to know better than its citizens.

Yogi's slaughterhouse ban is a defeat of the democratic state