Supreme Court Stops Nameplates on Kanwar Yatra Eateries
Mahua Moitra Calls It Unconstitutional
The Supreme Court has temporarily halted a directive requiring eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners. Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra, who filed the petition, called the order unconstitutional and against the fundamental principles of the Constitution.
The court’s decision was welcomed by various political leaders. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant praised the verdict, stating that the Supreme Court has protected the Constitution. JD(U) leader KC Tyagi also expressed his gratitude, noting that the rule could have divided society.
A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti issued notices to Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh, where the Kanwar Yatra takes place. The bench stated that state police cannot force shopkeepers to display their names and can only require them to display food items. The matter is set for a hearing on July 26.
The directive was initially issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, and was enforced across many districts in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh. The petitions challenging the directive were filed by Mahua Moitra, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, Delhi University Professor Apoorvanand, and activist Aakar Patel. They argued that the directive caused religious discrimination and questioned the authority’s power to issue such orders.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Mahua Moitra, noted that Kanwar Yatras have been happening for decades with support from people of all religions, including Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists.
Doubts Revealed
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest court in India. It makes important decisions about laws and rules in the country.
Kanwar Yatra -: Kanwar Yatra is a religious pilgrimage in India where devotees of Lord Shiva travel to collect holy water from the Ganges River.
Eateries -: Eateries are places where people can buy and eat food, like restaurants or food stalls.
Mahua Moitra -: Mahua Moitra is a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Trinamool Congress party in India. She works to make laws and represent people in the government.
Unconstitutional -: Unconstitutional means something that goes against the rules and principles set by the Constitution of India, which is the supreme law of the country.
Trinamool Congress -: Trinamool Congress is a political party in India. Political parties are groups of people who share similar ideas about how the country should be run.
Shiv Sena -: Shiv Sena is another political party in India. It is mainly active in the state of Maharashtra.
Arvind Sawant -: Arvind Sawant is a politician from the Shiv Sena party. He represents people and helps make decisions in the government.
JD(U) -: JD(U) stands for Janata Dal (United), which is a political party in India. It is mainly active in the state of Bihar.
KC Tyagi -: KC Tyagi is a politician from the JD(U) party. He works to represent people and make laws in the government.
Directive -: A directive is an official order or instruction given by an authority, like the government.
Uttar Pradesh -: Uttar Pradesh is a state in northern India. It is one of the largest and most populous states in the country.
Uttarakhand -: Uttarakhand is a state in northern India, known for its beautiful mountains and pilgrimage sites.
Madhya Pradesh -: Madhya Pradesh is a state in central India. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage.
Law and order concerns -: Law and order concerns refer to worries about keeping peace and safety in a place. Authorities make rules to prevent problems and ensure everyone follows the law.
