By D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
India's Supreme Court has temporarily halted a contentious order requiring restaurants along the Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage route to display the names of their owners and operators. The directive, issued by Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, both governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), faced widespread criticism for allegedly targeting Muslim owned establishments and threatening livelihoods. The court's intervention came in response to multiple petitions challenging the order, with the judges ruling that eateries only need to display the names of the items they serve.
Opposition parties and even BJP allies condemned the order, arguing that it was discriminatory and perpetuated religious division. Activists and politicians, including opposition MP Mahua Moitra, filed petitions asserting that the directive violated constitutional principles by promoting discrimination based on religion and potentially fostering untouchability, which is outlawed in India. State authorities, however, defended the order as a measure to maintain law and order during the pilgrimage.
The Impact on Local Communities and Businesses
The controversy erupted when authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar and Saharanpur districts instructed eateries along the pilgrimage route to display owners' names to prevent "confusion" among devotees, who abstain from meat and alcohol during the Kanwar Yatra. This annual pilgrimage, taking place during the Hindu holy month of Sawan, involves devotees of the Hindu god Shiva traveling on foot to collect water from the holy Ganges river and offer it at Shiva temples. The large influx of mostly young male pilgrims often leads to traffic disruptions and requires significant police presence to maintain order. However, incidents of violence and vandalism have been reported in recent years.
The directive faced backlash from various quarters. Opposition parties and BJP allies criticized it as divisive, accusing the BJP of encouraging an economic boycott of Muslims. Even BJP allies like Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party spoke out against the order. Local vendors and shop owners in Muzaffarnagar, a region still scarred by deadly Hindu Muslim riots in 2013, expressed concerns that the order aimed to marginalize Muslims. Many businesses along the highway from Delhi to Uttar Pradesh complied with the directive, displaying owners' names prominently. Some reported being coerced by the police to do so, with Muslim owned businesses feeling particularly targeted.
For instance, Vakeel Ahmad, owner of Lover’s Tea Point, had to rename his shop to make his Muslim identity clear after police visits. Other shop owners faced similar pressures, with some having to remove Muslim employees to avoid controversy. The directive also sparked fears among Hindu owned businesses, with police allegedly advising against employing Muslim workers. Despite these tensions, some pilgrims stated that the religious affiliation of shop owners did not concern them, emphasizing respect for all who cater to the needs of the devotees.
In summary, while the Supreme Court's intervention has temporarily halted the controversial order, the underlying issues of religious discrimination and economic impact on local communities remain a contentious topic, reflecting broader societal and political challenges in India.
