BJP Allies and Senior Leaders Question UP Order on Kanwar Route Eateries; BJP Defends Move as Ensuring ‘Equal Rights for Hindus’

The directive from the Muzaffarnagar police in Uttar Pradesh, which requires shops and carts along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners, has drawn criticism from BJP allies JD(U) and RLD, as well as senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. This order, following demands from a local BJP MLA and a prominent Hindu seer, faced backlash from various political quarters, leading to a revised advisory on Thursday. The new advisory allows shopowners to display names voluntarily.

Defending the initial police order, the BJP argued that it provides fasting Hindus, particularly Kanwariyas, with the choice to eat at vegetarian establishments, thereby respecting their religious practices. “This order respects the sentiments of the Kanwariyas and ensures they can find Satvik food easily,” a BJP spokesperson said.

JD(U) leader K C Tyagi expressed concerns over potential communal discord, stating, “The Kanwar Yatra takes place in various states without issues. Any attempt to demarcate on religious lines will harm communal harmony.” Tyagi highlighted the significant Muslim population in western UP and their contributions to the Kanwar Yatra, including crafting the kanwars and arranging food for pilgrims.

The RLD, with a strong presence in western UP, questioned the necessity of the directive. RLD spokesperson Anil Dubey emphasized, “The administration should focus on security, not on making people display their names on shops.”

Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi criticized the order as promoting untouchability, stating, “Faith must be respected, but untouchability should not be encouraged.”

In the revised advisory, the Muzaffarnagar administration clarified that the initial intent was to prevent confusion among Kanwariyas and avoid law and order issues. The new advisory stresses that displaying names is voluntary and aimed at maintaining peace and respecting devotees’ faith.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Saharanpur range) Ajay Kumar Sahni explained that the order was to prevent misrepresentation of food sold along the route, ensuring transparency for Kanwariyas. He added that shop owners willingly agreed to the measure.

BJP IT Department head Amit Malviya defended the directive, comparing it to practices in Mumbai’s business district, and argued that it should not be seen as discriminatory. He accused “secularists” of assuming the order was against Muslims due to their awareness of certain businesses using Hindu names.

JD(U) MPs from Bihar, including Giridhari Yadav and Ajay Kumar Mandal, emphasized the peaceful coexistence of Hindus and Muslims in their state and questioned the need for such an order.

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav was among the first to criticize the police order, labeling it a divisive social crime. Welcoming the revised advisory, he hailed it as a victory for unity and public pressure.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also condemned the directive, suggesting it targeted both Muslims and Dalits and questioning its economic implications. Khera argued that specifying food types like ‘pure vegetarian’ or ‘halal’ is sufficient for consumer choice without needing owner identification.

BSP chief Mayawati called for the immediate withdrawal of the directive, warning that it sets a harmful precedent and risks damaging communal harmony.