Kapil Sibal Criticizes Name Display Order for Kanwar Yatra Food Shops
New Delhi, India – Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has strongly criticized the Uttar Pradesh government’s directive for food shops on the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owners’ names. He urged leaders to focus on development rather than divisive issues.
Sibal emphasized that debates around the yatra are hindering India’s progress and called on the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Chief Ministers to avoid using such matters for political gain. He highlighted the pressing economic and political challenges, noting that these overshadow more critical concerns like unemployment.
“The politics that is happening on the Kanwar Yatra is not going to take India towards becoming Viksit Bharat. The Prime Minister, Home Minister and Chief Ministers should not raise such issues…The common man has nothing to do with these issues…Such issues will later be raised in Parliament, and issues of economic and political challenges, will not be discussed there,” Sibal said during a press conference.
Sibal pointed to a recent job opening in Uttar Pradesh that attracted 47 lakh applications for just 60,000 positions, highlighting the government’s “negligence” towards unemployment. He urged the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to stop focusing on the Kanwar Yatra, stating that those on the yatra know where to eat.
On the other hand, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey defended the guidelines, stating that such a law was first introduced during the governments of Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati. “This law was made by the Akhilesh Yadav government, Mayawati government. Everybody is equal in this law. What is unconstitutional in this? Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians all have to install nameplates. BJP respects the law,” Dubey said.
Amid the controversy, the Haridwar Police Administration also issued an order for restaurant owners to display names on the Kanwar Yatra route. Haridwar SSP Padmendra Dobal stated that instructions have been given to hotels, dhabas, and restaurants, and violations will lead to legal action.
Samajwadi Party chief and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav also criticized the move, urging the court to take suo-motto cognizance. He labeled such orders as “social crimes” that could deteriorate the peaceful environment of the region.
Muzaffarnagar Police stated that the intention of the order is not to create religious discrimination but to facilitate the devotees. They urged eateries to voluntarily display the names of their owners and employees to prevent confusion and maintain law and order.
Doubts Revealed
Kapil Sibal -: Kapil Sibal is a senior politician in India and a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha, which is the upper house of India’s Parliament.
Rajya Sabha -: The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of India’s Parliament, where members discuss and make laws. It is similar to the Senate in some other countries.
Kanwar Yatra -: Kanwar Yatra is a religious pilgrimage in India where devotees of Lord Shiva travel to collect holy water from the Ganges River and offer it at Shiva temples.
Uttar Pradesh -: Uttar Pradesh is a state in northern India. It is one of the most populous states and has many important cultural and religious sites.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is one of the major political parties in India. It is currently the ruling party in the central government.
Nishikant Dubey -: Nishikant Dubey is a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He represents the Godda constituency in Jharkhand.
Haridwar -: Haridwar is a city in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus and is located on the banks of the Ganges River.
Muzaffarnagar -: Muzaffarnagar is a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is known for its agricultural produce and has a significant population of both Hindus and Muslims.
