Supreme Court Stays Enforcement of Kanwar Yatra Directives on Eatery Owners’ and Staff Details, Sets Hearing for July 26
On Monday, the Supreme Court issued an interim stay on the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments’ orders requiring eatery owners along the Kanwar Yatra route to disclose the names of owners and their staff. The court ruled that food sellers should not be compelled to provide the names of owners or employees. The apex court has scheduled the next hearing for July 26.
Food Sellers Must Not Be Forced to Display Names: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court was hearing challenges to the directive from NGOs like the Association of Protection of Civil Rights and TMC MP Mahua Moitra, among others. Moitra’s plea called for a halt on these orders, arguing that they escalate tensions between communities.
The petitioners’ counsel told the court that the directives are troubling, as they create divisions by identifying minorities and subjecting them to economic boycott. Senior advocate CU Singh, representing a petitioner, argued that many affected people are poor vegetable and tea stall owners who face severe economic hardship due to these directives. He also mentioned the possibility of bulldozer actions against those who fail to comply.
The Supreme Court questioned whether Kanwariyas expect food to be prepared by owners of a specific category. “We deem it appropriate to pass an interim order prohibiting the enforcement of the above directives. In other words, food sellers may be required to display the kind of food, but must not be forced to display names of owners or staff employed,” the bench said.
Kanwar Yatra Row: What is the Issue?
Muzaffarnagar police had issued an order mandating eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owners’ names. Later, the Uttar Pradesh government extended the order statewide. The Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Uttarakhand also issued similar directives. Additionally, the BJP-led Ujjain Municipal Corporation instructed shop owners in the historic city to display their names and mobile numbers outside their establishments.
