Kanwar Yatra: On-route eateries can show names voluntarily, no Force

On Friday Supreme Court said shopkeepers along the Kanwar Yatra route could voluntarily display the names of its owners and employees outside its premises. The top court, however, said its interim order, staying the directives by the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments, would continue.

The Supreme Court said the stay order would continue till August 5, the next hearing date. The court asked the Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh governments to file their responses in a week.

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti, said it won’t issue any clarification on the previous order. “We have said what needed to be said in our July 22 order. Can’t force anyone to disclose names,” the bench said."For voluntarily displaying names there is no issue. Our order says that they cannot be forced to put out owner names and employee names outside the dhaba," the bench said.

The bench was hearing the petitions filed by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, TMC MP Mahua Moitra, Professor Apoorvanand and columnist Aakar Patel against the regulations issued by the state governments.

Earlier today, the Uttar Pradesh government defended its directive, saying the idea was to bring in transparency, avoid “potential confusion” and ensure a peaceful yatra.

The state government, in its submission to the Supreme Court, explained that the directive was implemented to maintain peace during the Hindu pilgrimage. The directive was implemented after complaints from Kanwariyas, who reported confusion caused by the names of shops and eateries. Police authorities acted to address these concerns and ensure a smooth experience for the pilgrims.

The Supreme Court on July 22, ordered an interim stay on the directives issued by the Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh state governments making the display of owners’ name on eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route mandatory. The directive was stayed till July 26.