The Supreme Court has stayed the Uttar Pradesh government's order directing shop owners to display their names outside their establishments along the Kanwar Yatra route. The order was issued by the UP government on July 19, 2024, and was intended to ensure law and order and respect for the dietary preferences of Hindu pilgrims.
Key Developments
The Supreme Court issued an interim stay on the enforcement of the order, prohibiting its implementation until further notice.
The Court clarified that shop owners need not display their names, addresses, and mobile numbers, but only the type of food they are serving to Kanwariyas.
The stay was granted in response to petitions filed by the Association of Protection of Civil Rights, TMC MP Mahua Moitra, and others, challenging the UP government's directive.
Similar directives were issued by the governments of Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh, but the Supreme Court's stay applies to all three states.
Concerns and Controversy
Opposition leaders and activists have criticized the directive, arguing it is an overreach of government power and may encourage discrimination on the grounds of caste and religion, particularly against Muslim-owned eateries.
The directive has been seen as an attempt to stigmatize certain groups, and the Opposition has raised concerns about increased communal tensions.
The Supreme Court's stay has been welcomed by those who argued the directive was unnecessary and potentially divisive.
Next Hearing**
The matter will be heard again by the Supreme Court on July 26, 2024, to determine the final fate of the UP government's directive.