Supreme Court Stops States from Forcing Shop Owners to Display Names During Kanwar Yatra

The Supreme Court of India has temporarily stopped directives from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh that required eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners. A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti issued notices to these states, stating that shopkeepers can only be asked to display the food items they serve.

The court’s decision came after petitions were filed by Member of Parliament 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 of the police to issue such orders.

The directive was initially enforced by the Senior Superintendent of Police in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, and was reportedly implemented across many districts in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh government had asked food and beverage shops along the Kanwar Yatra routes to display the name and identity of the operator or owner of their establishments.

Senior advocate CU Singh, representing the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, stated that while authorities claimed the directive was voluntary, it was being enforced. 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.

The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for July 26.