India's Supreme Court on Friday (July 26), extended its interim stay order dated July 22 on directives issued by BJP-ruled states - Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh, compelling eateries along the Kanwar Yatra routes to show the names of their owners and staff outside their shops.

India's Supreme Court on Friday (July 26), extended its interim stay order dated July 22 on directives issued by BJP-ruled states - Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh, compelling eateries along the Kanwar Yatra routes to show the names of their owners and staff outside their shops. Earlier on Friday, the UP government defended its order in the court, saying that the directive was to ensure "transparency and informed choice of the consumer/Kanwaria regarding the food they eat during the period of the Yatra, keeping in mind their religious sentiments so that they don’t, even accidentally, fall foul of their beliefs." The bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S.V.N. Bhatti said that the court won't issue any clarification on the July 22 order. "We have said what needed to be said in our July 22 order. Can't force anyone to disclose names," the apex court said. The stay order will be in effect till August 5, which is the next date of the hearing. Meanwhile, the Kanwar Yatra, which began on July 22, will end on August 6. Watch | Heavy rains in Maharashtra & Gujarat: Dam gates opened, Mumbai & Pune witness massive flooding × Not discriminatory or restrictive at all The Uttar Pradesh government filed an affidavit before the court to oppose the petitions against its directive on Friday. “Kanwariyas follow a strict vegetarian, satvik diet, eschewing onion, garlic and all other tamasic foods,” said the UP government. It also pointed out that “satvik food does not just mean the preparation of food without onions and garlic, but is also the manner of preparation of the food, similar to falhar during other festivals when fasting ceremonies are undertaken." "The requirement of mere transparency, with prominent disclosures of the names of the operators of the eateries and the type of food they serve, is certainly not discriminatory or restrictive at all," it added. Also read: On Kargil Vijay Diwas, Modi slams Pak; defends Agnipath scheme The UP government said that its directives are “aimed at ensuring public safety and order during the Kanwar Yatra, given the large number of participants and the potential for communal tensions, it is imperative to take preventive measures that ensure a peaceful and harmonious pilgrimage. Past incidents have shown that misunderstandings regarding the type of food being sold have led to tensions and disturbances. The directives are a proactive measure to avoid such situations”. The SC bench asked that the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand submit their responses to the petitions contesting their respective orders. (With inputs from agencies)

'Can’t force anyone to disclose names': India's SC extends stay on BJP states' Kanwar Yatra directive

The Supreme Court of India on Monday (Jul&nbsp;22) imposed an interim stay order on the directives by multiple state governments ordering eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of the shop owners.

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S V N Bhatti issued notices to the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh seeking their replies to plea challenging the directive.

The bench said that while food sellers may be required to display information on the kind of food they serve, they cannot be forced to display the names of the owners.

"We deem it appropriate to pass an interim order prohibiting the enforcement of the above directives. In other words, food sellers may be required to display kind of food, but must not be forced to display names of owners, staff employed," said the justices. The matter has been posted for further hearing on Friday (Jul&nbsp;26).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/up-cm-adityanath-orders-eateries-along-kanwar-yatra-routes-in-up-to-display-owners-names-742382">India: CM Yogi Adityanath orders eateries along Kanwar Yatra routes in UP to display owners' names</a>

<h2>The order</h2>

Last week, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered eateries across the Kanwar Yatra route to display outside the establishment the names of the owners.

Yogi Adityanath issued this order a similar instruction by police for eateries in Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur and Shamli. He said that the order must be sternly followed to avoid confusion among pilgrims undertaking the pilgrimage.&nbsp;The Uttarakhand government passed a similar order.

In Madhya Pradesh, BJP-ruled Ujjain Municipal Corporation also issued a directive asking shop owners to display their names and mobile numbers outside their establishments.

On Saturday (Jul&nbsp;20), Ujjain Mayor Mukesh Tatwal said that violators would have to pay a Rs 2,000 (around $24) fine for the Rs 5,000&nbsp;(around $60) if they defy this order for the second time. He also said that the order was only aimed at ensuring safety and transparency and clarified that it was not intended to target Muslim shopkeepers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kanwar-yatra-in-india-why-is-this-move-by-police-being-compared-to-nazi-germany-742125">'Kanwar Yatra' in India: Why is THIS move of UP Police being compared to 'Nazi Germany'?</a>

<h2>Critics of the order</h2>

The plea, as per PTI news agency, was filed by multiple stakeholders, including the NGO Association of Protection of Civil Rights, TMC MP Mahua Moitra and others.

MP Moitra, in her plea, contented that the order could aggravate discord between communities.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Supreme Court of India on Monday (Jul 22) imposed an interim stay order on the directives by multiple state governments ordering eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of the shop owners.

The Supreme Court of India on Monday (Jul 22) imposed an interim stay order on the directives by multiple state governments ordering eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of the shop owners. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S V N Bhatti issued notices to the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh seeking their replies to plea challenging the directive. The bench said that while food sellers may be required to display information on the kind of food they serve, they cannot be forced to display the names of the owners. "We deem it appropriate to pass an interim order prohibiting the enforcement of the above directives. In other words, food sellers may be required to display kind of food, but must not be forced to display names of owners, staff employed," said the justices. The matter has been posted for further hearing on Friday (Jul 26). Also read | India: CM Yogi Adityanath orders eateries along Kanwar Yatra routes in UP to display owners' names The order Last week, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered eateries across the Kanwar Yatra route to display outside the establishment the names of the owners. Yogi Adityanath issued this order a similar instruction by police for eateries in Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur and Shamli. He said that the order must be sternly followed to avoid confusion among pilgrims undertaking the pilgrimage. The Uttarakhand government passed a similar order. In Madhya Pradesh, BJP-ruled Ujjain Municipal Corporation also issued a directive asking shop owners to display their names and mobile numbers outside their establishments. On Saturday (Jul 20), Ujjain Mayor Mukesh Tatwal said that violators would have to pay a Rs 2,000 (around $24) fine for the Rs 5,000 (around $60) if they defy this order for the second time. He also said that the order was only aimed at ensuring safety and transparency and clarified that it was not intended to target Muslim shopkeepers. Also read | 'Kanwar Yatra' in India: Why is THIS move of UP Police being compared to 'Nazi Germany'? Critics of the order The plea, as per PTI news agency, was filed by multiple stakeholders, including the NGO Association of Protection of Civil Rights, TMC MP Mahua Moitra and others. MP Moitra, in her plea, contented that the order could aggravate discord between communities. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Supreme Court halts orders requiring eateries to display owner names along Kanwar Yatra route

Chief Minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath has directed all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners throughout the state. The Kanwar Yatra is set to commence on July 22.

This order comes after the Uttar Pradesh police in Muzaffarnagar amended their directive, making it optional for eateries to display owners’ names, following criticism from opposition parties.

To ensure the Kanwar Yatra proceeds smoothly, Adityanath instructed that food and beverage shops along the Kanwar routes must show the name and identity of the operator/owner to uphold the pilgrims’ faith. Additionally, action will be taken against those selling halal-certified products, ANI reported.

As per the new rule, all food establishments, including restaurants, roadside dhabas, and food carts, must now display their owner's name.

Uttar Pradesh Minister Kapil Dev Agarwal recently claimed that some Muslims are disguising themselves under Hindu names to sell non-vegetarian food to pilgrims. He mentioned that names like "Vaishno Dhaba Bhandar," "Shakumbhari Devi Bhojanalaya," and "Shuddh Bhojanalaya" are being used to sell non-vegetarian items.

The Muzaffarnagar Police had earlier requested that eateries along the Kanwar route “voluntarily display” the names of their owners and staff. They emphasised that this measure is intended solely to assist devotees and is not meant to foster any “religious discrimination.”

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand Police has instructed that eateries along the Kanwar Yatra routes display the owners' names on their boards.

Former Samajwadi Party MP Dr ST Hasan criticised this directive, stating, “…A message is being sent to boycott Muslim-owned businesses and support those owned by Hindus… How long will this communal mindset continue? Unfortunately, such incidents are increasing… This is creating a divide between the communities. These orders should be revoked…”

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UP state Congress chief Ajay Rai remarked, “This is completely impractical. It undermines the spirit of unity in society and aims to create rifts among people. This should be reversed immediately…”

Earlier on Thursday, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav described the order as a “social crime” and urged the court to intervene, raising concerns about the motives behind the government's actions.

“What can be learned from names like Guddu, Munna, Chhotu, or Fateh? The esteemed court should initiate suo-motu proceedings to probe the government's intentions and impose suitable penalties. Such orders are social crimes aimed at disrupting the peaceful atmosphere of harmony,” he said&nbsp;in a post on X.

(With inputs from agencies)

Chief Minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath has directed all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners throughout the state.

Chief Minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath has directed all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners throughout the state. The Kanwar Yatra is set to commence on July 22. This order comes after the Uttar Pradesh police in Muzaffarnagar amended their directive, making it optional for eateries to display owners’ names, following criticism from opposition parties. To ensure the Kanwar Yatra proceeds smoothly, Adityanath instructed that food and beverage shops along the Kanwar routes must show the name and identity of the operator/owner to uphold the pilgrims’ faith. Additionally, action will be taken against those selling halal-certified products, ANI reported. As per the new rule, all food establishments, including restaurants, roadside dhabas, and food carts, must now display their owner's name. Uttar Pradesh Minister Kapil Dev Agarwal recently claimed that some Muslims are disguising themselves under Hindu names to sell non-vegetarian food to pilgrims. He mentioned that names like "Vaishno Dhaba Bhandar," "Shakumbhari Devi Bhojanalaya," and "Shuddh Bhojanalaya" are being used to sell non-vegetarian items. The Muzaffarnagar Police had earlier requested that eateries along the Kanwar route “voluntarily display” the names of their owners and staff. They emphasised that this measure is intended solely to assist devotees and is not meant to foster any “religious discrimination.” Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand Police has instructed that eateries along the Kanwar Yatra routes display the owners' names on their boards. Former Samajwadi Party MP Dr ST Hasan criticised this directive, stating, “…A message is being sent to boycott Muslim-owned businesses and support those owned by Hindus… How long will this communal mindset continue? Unfortunately, such incidents are increasing… This is creating a divide between the communities. These orders should be revoked…” Also read: Historic! India's top court to hear plea challenging governor's immunity in sexual assault case UP state Congress chief Ajay Rai remarked, “This is completely impractical. It undermines the spirit of unity in society and aims to create rifts among people. This should be reversed immediately…” Earlier on Thursday, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav described the order as a “social crime” and urged the court to intervene, raising concerns about the motives behind the government's actions. “What can be learned from names like Guddu, Munna, Chhotu, or Fateh? The esteemed court should initiate suo-motu proceedings to probe the government's intentions and impose suitable penalties. Such orders are social crimes aimed at disrupting the peaceful atmosphere of harmony,” he said in a post on X. (With inputs from agencies)

India: CM Yogi Adityanath orders eateries along Kanwar Yatra routes in UP to display owners' names