'Eateries On Kanwar Yatra Route To Display Owners' Names': UP Police Directive Stirs Row, Oppn Calls It Anti-Muslim

After a row erupted over eateries on the Kanwar Yatra route in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar being asked to display their owners’ names, opposition parties saw the significant move as “anti-Muslim”. The preparations for the Kanwar Yatra, which is set to commence on July 22, are underway accompanied by new guidelines from the administration.

On Wednesday (July 18), police in the Muzaffarnagar district issued an order concerning the Kanwar Yatra route, mandating that all eateries display the names of their owners prominently outside their establishments. This directive aims to avoid confusion and ensure transparency during the religious procession.

According to the order issued by the Muzaffarnagar senior superintendent of police (SSP), owners of eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route must clearly write the name of the shop owner on their premises. This requirement extends to hotels, dhabas and carts, with the intention of facilitating smoother coordination and accountability.

The decision has stirred a debate, with criticism from Owaisi, who alleged the measure could marginalise Muslims from taking part in the yatra. He likened it to “apartheid” in South Africa and “judenboycott” in Hitler’s Germany. In a post on X, he said: “As per the order of Uttar Pradesh Police, now every food shop or cart owner will have to put his name on the board so that no kanwariya buys anything from a Muslim shop by mistake. This was called apartheid in South Africa and in Hitler’s Germany it was called ‘Judenboycott’.”

Apartheid, considered a crime against humanity and punishable under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, is defined as a “legalised racial segregation system” in which one racial group are deprived of political and civil rights. ‘Judenboycott’, on the other hand, was the Nazi boycott of Jewish businesses that began in April 1933.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera called the order “state-sponsored bigotry” while Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the order is a “social crime” and asked the courts to take suo motu cognisance of the matter.

Reacting to a news article on the order, Yadav wrote on X, “… And what if the name of the owner is Guddu, Munna, Chhotu or Fatte? What can you find out from these names? The honourable court should take suo motu cognizance of this matter and investigate the intentions of the government and take appropriate punitive action,” the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.

“Such an order is a social crime aimed at spoiling the peaceful atmosphere and harmony,” he said.

Echoing Owaisi, well-known lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar also slammed the decision saying in Nazi Germany, they would make “only a mark on particular shops and houses”. “Muzaffarnagar UP police has given instructions that on the route of a particular religious procession in near future all the shops restaurants n even vehicles should show the name of the owner prominently and clearly. Why? In Nazi Germany they used to make only a mark on particular shops and houses,” he said in a post on X.

Conversely, activist Swami Chakrapani has praised the directive as a positive step. Earlier advisories from the Uttar Pradesh government included restrictions on carrying weapons during the yatra, scheduled from July 22 to August 19. Director general of police (DGP) Prashant Kumar announced traffic diversions, prohibiting heavy vehicles on specified routes and emphasising compliance with Supreme Court guidelines on DJ sound limits.

Additionally, liquor and meat shops along the yatra routes will remain closed, and authorities are instructed to prevent stray animals from obstructing the pilgrims’ path. Surveillance through CCTV and drones will monitor the event, ensuring safety and security measures are upheld.

Efforts are underway to streamline traffic on crucial routes like the Ayodhya-Basti road, limiting access to emergency vehicles only. Police are collaborating closely with registered organisations and devotees to facilitate a smooth and orderly conduct of the Kanwar Yatra.