Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini Reacts to Supreme Court’s Decision on Kanwar Yatra Shops

Karnal (Haryana) [India], July 22: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini responded to the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the directive requiring shops along the Kanwar Yatra route to display owner names. Saini stated that the yatra is based on faith, and participants should know what food is being served. He suggested that restaurants should indicate whether they serve vegetarian or non-vegetarian food.

“People should know what is made where they are eating. There must be some sign or writing mentioning whether the restaurant is serving vegetarian or non-vegetarian food, and then the situation becomes clear,” said CM Saini. He also expressed respect for the court’s decision.

On Monday, the Supreme Court issued an interim stay on directives from state authorities requiring eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display owner names. Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti issued notices to Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh, stating that police cannot force shopkeepers to display their names but can ask them to display food items.

“Until the returnable date, having regard to the discussion, we deem it appropriate to pass an interim order prohibiting the enforcement of the above directives. In other words, the food sellers, hawkers, etc. may be required to display the kind of food they are serving to Kanwariyas, but they must not be forced to disclose the names,” the bench stated. The matter is scheduled for hearing on July 26.

The Supreme Court was hearing petitions challenging the directive issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, which required shop owners to display their names during the Kanwar Yatra season. The directive was reportedly enforced in many districts of Uttar Pradesh, with similar directives in Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh.