Uttarakhand Orders Nameplates on Kanwar Yatra Route Shops Amid Support from UP Ministers and Opposition Criticism

The Uttarakhand government has mandated dhaba and shop owners along the Kanwar Yatra route to display nameplates with the proprietor's name and identification details. This directive aims to ensure transparency and safety during the pilgrimage. The order has received support from various officials, including Uttar Pradesh ministers Dayashankar, OP Rajbhar, Sanjay Nishad, Dharmpal Singh, and Union Minister BL Verma, who emphasized the importance of peaceful conduct and security for Kanwar pilgrims. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak criticized opposition parties, particularly the Samajwadi Party, accusing them of politicizing the issue and making unfounded comparisons between Kanwar Yatra devotees and terrorists. Leaders from different states, including Bihar MP Arun Bharti and Chhattisgarh Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, also acknowledged the government's prerogative in issuing such orders. Some Muslim community leaders, such as Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, have called for compliance with the government order but questioned the underlying motives behind the nameplate requirement. The controversy intensified after former Samajwadi Party MP S.T. Hasan made remarks about Kanwar Yatris, which were rebutted by multiple government officials who stressed the need for safety and harmony during the festival. The Food Safety Department and the Supreme Court have provided guidelines supporting the display of proprietor names on food outlets along the route. Overall, the government maintains that the nameplate order is a measure to enhance security and transparency during the Kanwar Yatra, rejecting opposition criticism as politically motivated.