UP CM Orders Mandatory Nameplates for Shops on Kanwar Routes

Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has mandated that all food shops along the Kanwar routes in Uttar Pradesh must display nameplates. This directive requires shop owners to clearly write their names and disclose their identities on their establishments. The move aims to maintain the sanctity and purity of the faith of the Kanwar pilgrims. Additionally, the state government has announced actions against vendors selling Halal-certified products. Initially, this regulation was enforced only in the Muzaffarnagar district, but it will now be implemented across the entire state. This decision has sparked political controversy, with opposition parties criticizing it as harmful to social harmony.

The Kanwar Yatra, a pilgrimage undertaken by devotees of Lord Shiva, begins annually in the month of Sawan. During this holy journey, Kanwariyas don saffron attire. This year, the Yatra will commence on July 22, 2024. Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are making special arrangements for the journey, as most pilgrims pass through these states. The government is ensuring all necessary conveniences for the devotees. The Uttar Pradesh government has issued an advisory prohibiting the display of weapons during the Kanwar Yatra. DGP Prashant Kumar announced that DJ music and religious songs will be allowed but must adhere to prescribed sound limits. The entry of heavy vehicles will be banned on major expressways and the Chaudhary Charan Singh Kanwar Marg from midnight of July 21.

Kanwariyas are advised not to carry spears, tridents, or any weapons. Liquor and meat shops along the Yatra routes will remain closed, and stray animals are to be kept off the routes. Normal traffic will be restricted on the Ayodhya-Basti route, allowing only ambulances and emergency vehicles. Earlier, Saharanpur DIG Ajay Kumar Sahni had issued an order for shop proprietors on the Kanwar route to display their names. He cited past disputes over goods’ prices and confusion arising from mismatched shop names and ownership. This directive applies to all hotels, dhabas, and food shops on the Kanwar routes across the state. Shopkeepers must now compulsorily display the proprietor’s name on their establishments.