SC's interim order staying UP diktat for eateries on Kanwar Yatra route to continue

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court  on Friday extended its interim stay on the directive for eateries on the Kanwar Yatra route, The court said no one can be forced to disclose names.

The bench allowed time for the states of Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh to file responses and posted the matter after two weeks.

Earlier, the state government submitted an affidavit in the  top court. It told the SC that  the directive was implemented to maintain peace during the Hindu pilgrimage. According to the state government, the directive was implemented after complaints from Kanwariyas who reported confusion caused by the names of shops and eateries. Police authorities acted to ensure a smooth experience for the pilgrims.

“Kanwariyas follow a strict vegetarian, satvik diet, eschewing onion, garlic and all other tamasic foods”. It also pointed out that “satvik food does not just mean the preparation of food without onions and garlic, but is also the manner of preparation of the food, similar to falhar during other festivals when fasting ceremonies are undertaken," the state government said in its affidavit as quoted by Indian Express.

The apex court on July 22 issued notices to the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh. It suggested that eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route might need to display whether their food is vegetarian or non-vegetarian.

The court reviewed several petitions challenging these directives, including those from Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, academician Apoorvanand Jha, columnist Aakar Patel, and the NGO Association of Protection of Civil Rights. The Kanwar Yatra runs from July 22 to August 6.