Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday ordered all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners.
This decision comes a day after Uttar Pradesh’s police in Muzaffarnagar revoked its orders, making it “voluntary” for eateries to display the owners’ names, following backlash from the opposition parties.
As per the directive, every food shop or cart owner will have to put the owner’s name on the board.
The Chief Minister stated that the decision has been taken to preserve the sanctity of Kanwar pilgrims. Now, every eatery, be it a restaurant, a roadside dhaba, or even a food cart, will have to display the name of the owner.
Earlier today, Uttar Pradesh Minister Kapil Dev Agarwal alleged that Muslims, under the garb of Hindu names, sell non-vegetarian foods to pilgrims. “They write names like Vaishno Dhaba Bhandar, Shakumbhari Devi Bhojanalaya, and Shuddh Bhojanalaya and sell non-vegetarian food,” the minister stated.
Preparations across Uttar Pradesh are underway as Kanwar Yatra is set to begin on July 22.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Police has also issued directives asking the eateries along Kanwar Yatra routes to put the owners’ names on the board.
Speaking with the media, Haridwar’s Senior Superintendent of Police, Pramod Singh Dobal stated, “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.”