Muzaffarnagar order now extends across UP and Uttarakhand

Opposition, BJP allies slam move

- 

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is extending the controversial order asking all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owners’ names. Similar instructions are already in place in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said.

The move has evoked strong reactions not only from opposition but also from the ruling BJP’s allies like Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Janata Dal (United) who slammed it, saying there should not be any discrimination based on religion.

A few days ago Muzaffarnagar district police in Uttar Pradesh had issued orders, requiring all eateries to display the names of their owners along the route of the Kanwar Yatra which evoked strong reaction from Opposition parties and some members of the ruling alliance, saying it targets Muslim traders.

A spokesperson of UP government said on Friday a formal order for all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route in the state was likely to be issued soon.

In Dehradun, Uttarakhand CM Dhami said the decision was taken on July 12 at a meeting to review the preparations for the Kanwar Yatra.