New Delhi: Union Minister and BJP ally Chirag Paswan has strongly condemned the Muzaffarnagar police directive requiring hotels, dhabas, eateries, and other shops along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their proprietors and shopkeepers. Speaking to PTI, Paswan declared, “Whenever there is any divide in the name of caste or religion, I absolutely don’t support it.” His comments come amid intense debate over the Uttar Pradesh government’s guidelines for the Kanwar Yatra route.
When asked if he supported the advisory, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president firmly replied, “No, I don’t.” Paswan believes society is divided into two classes—rich and poor—and that people of various castes and religions exist within both categories.
“We need to bridge the gap between these two classes of people. It is every government’s responsibility to work for the poor, which includes all sections of society such as Dalits, backwards, upper castes, and Muslims. All are there. We need to work for them,” Paswan emphasized.
He further stated, “Whenever there is such a divide in the name of caste or religion, I absolutely do not support or encourage it. I do not think any educated young person of my age, irrespective of the caste or religion they come from, is affected by such things.”
According to ANI, the Uttar Pradesh State Government on Friday clarified that the guidelines regarding nameplates on food shops along the Kanwar route were intended to ensure the smooth conduct of the Kanwar Yatra, which begins on July 22.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath mandated that food and beverage shops along Kanwar routes display the name and identity of the operator/owner to maintain the sanctity of the pilgrims’ faith. Additionally, action will be taken against those selling halal-certified products, reported ANI.
The Muzaffarnagar and Saharanpur police authorities issued the order on Wednesday, requiring hotels, dhabas, and other food shops along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners and employees to prevent any confusion among devotees. Muzaffarnagar Superintendent of Police Abhishek Singh stated that the state government also directed food carts and stands to comply. This move has sparked a political slugfest between the BJP and the opposition.
