Before the commencement of the Kanwar Yatra starting from July 22, shopkeepers in Muzaffarnagar have hung signs with their names on food and fruit stalls along the route. Police instructed all shopkeepers on the Kanwar route to clearly display the names of the proprietors or workers on their respective shops to avoid any confusion among the Kanwariyas.
The Kanwar Yatra route in Muzaffarnagar spans approximately 240 kilometers, making it a crucial district. Following police instructions, shops here have posted signs specifying their names and the type of business they operate. Some have labeled their carts as “Arif Mango Vendor” while others have hung posters stating “Nisar Fruit Vendor”.
Ensuring Peaceful Kanwar Yatra
The district administration issued a new directive this year to ensure the Kanwar Yatra concludes peacefully. As per the directive, all shops including hotels, dhabas, carts, etc., where devotees purchase food items, have been instructed to prominently display the names of their proprietors or workers. This directive is now being visibly implemented, with fruit vendors now displaying posters with their names on their carts.
During the Kanwar Mela, devotees of Lord Shiva, known as Kanwariyas, carry holy water from Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar and travel towards their respective destinations, passing through Muzaffarnagar. Muzaffarnagar becomes significant because it serves as a transit point for Kanwariyas heading towards various districts of Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
A police officer in western UP confirms the orders to write the name of the owner on eateries and shops and carts selling any eatable so that kanwars are not confused…i.e., do not buy from a Muslim…. names given away the identity in India. pic.twitter.com/b9y8AFn6Rw
— Zafarul-Islam Khan (@khan_zafarul) July 17, 2024
Directive Ensures Kanwariya Safety
SSP Abhishek Singh of Muzaffarnagar emphasized that along the 240-kilometer Kanwar route in our district, all food and beverage establishments—be it hotels, dhabas, or roadside stalls—where Kanwariyas purchase their provisions, have been instructed to display the names of their proprietors or workers. This directive is crucial to prevent any confusion among Kanwariyas and to avoid situations that could lead to allegations and counter-allegations, ensuring law and order is maintained. The directive has been issued and everyone is adhering to it diligently for the safety and security of all involved.
Owaisi Criticizes Directive
AIMIM Chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi responded to the SSP’s directive by stating, ‘According to the Uttar Pradesh Police orders, now every food vendor or stall owner must display their name on a board so that no Kanwariya mistakenly avoids purchasing from a Muslim-owned shop. This practice was called apartheid in South Africa and ‘Judenboycott’ in Hitler’s Germany.’
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