Two days after LJP (Ram Vilas) leader and Union minister Chirag Paswan opposed the police order in Uttar Pradesh requiring eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners, another Union minister, RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary, criticized the move on Sunday, calling it unnecessary and poorly thought out. Chaudhary emphasized that Kanwar yatris do not check the religion of those offering them “sewa.”

Additionally, Ajit Pawar’s NCP, another BJP ally, joined the opposition against the police order, calling for its withdrawal.

Speaking to reporters after an all-party meeting, Chaudhary, who is the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, said the decision to issue the order was rushed and the government is now sticking to it.

Chaudhary reiterated his party’s opposition to the order, stating, “It is not an issue. Our state president, Ramashis Singh, has already made the party’s stance clear against the police order. The entire party stands united on this issue.”

He further elaborated, “Everyone is involved in the service of those carrying the kanwar. The kanwariyas do not identify anyone by caste or religion. They accept the service as a blessing. This issue should not be linked to caste or religion.”

Chaudhary also questioned the practicality of the order, citing examples of well-known brands with multiple owners. “All establishments can write their name. The owner can be different, and the brand can be different. What will McDonald’s write? What will Burger King in Khatauli write? There are old brands, and they can have multiple owners.”

He added, “I feel the decision wasn’t well thought out, and now that it has been taken, they are sticking to it. This happens in government sometimes. There is still time, and maybe it won’t be implemented very strictly. I see that pressure is not being put by the administration.”

Regarding food labeling, Chaudhary said, “As far as vegetarian and non-vegetarian is concerned, it makes sense to clarify whether food ingredients and processes are vegetarian or not. But who makes it should not matter. There are vegetarian Muslims and non-vegetarian Hindus.”

On Friday, the RLD, whose stronghold includes western Uttar Pradesh, had stated its intention to raise objections with both the Central and state governments.

On Sunday, NCP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel joined NDA allies JD(U), RLD, and LJP (Ram Vilas) in opposing the order, calling for its withdrawal. “These steps have been taken for the first time in view of the Kanwar Yatra. It needs amendment. The UP government needs to take it back,” Patel said after the all-party meeting.

On Friday, Chirag Paswan had expressed his disagreement with the directive, originally issued by police in Muzaffarnagar, stating, “It is every government’s responsibility to work for the poor, which includes all sections of society such as Dalits, backward castes, upper castes, and Muslims.”