What makes CM Yogi Adityanath to take such a decision having political ramification does not need any special talent. It is very simple. He wants to consolidate his political position in his state where byelection to the 10 Vidhan Sabha constituencies are to be held within few weeks, on the result of which rests his political fate as Chief Minister. The week past has just seen the knives were out against him while he blamed central and state BJP leaders for drubbing in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election in the state.

CM Yogi Adityanath has stated that the decision has been taken to preserve the sanctity of Kanwar pilgrims. Just before his new order, a minister in his cabinet Kapil Dev Agarwal had alleged that Muslims, under the garb of Hindu names, sell non-vegetarian foods to pilgrims. He even said, “They write names like Vaishno Dhaba Bhandar, Shakumbhari Devi Bhojnalaya, and Shuddh Bhojanalaya and sell non-vegetarian food.” Communal politics is therefore too obvious.

The evil of the communal politics is likely to escalate in other states too, as we have seen it has already spread to the neighbourhood state Uttarakhand. Since Kanwar Yatra is organized across the country, issuance of such orders may impact the communal harmony. Exploitation of such situations by anti-social elements and communal politicians can also not be ruled out.

In Uttarakhand’s Haridwar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Pramod Singh Dobhal has said, “All those who operate hotels, dhabas, or street food stalls have been ordered to display the proprietor’s name, QR code, and mobile number at their establishment. Those who fail to comply will face strict action and will also be removed from the Kanwar route.”

Back in Uttar Pradesh, DIG Saharanpur Ajay Kumar Sahni said, “Instances have come to light earlier that Kanwarias had arguments over rate list for food at hotels and dhabas. Besides this, there have been instances where non-veg is available at some hotel/dhaba or a person of some other community has opened a hotel/dhaba under some other name and this has led to issues. In the wake of that, it was decided that the name of the proprietor/owner or shops/ hotels/ dhabas would be written clearly and names of workers would also be written clearly so that no issue of any kind arise … Talks had been held with everyone, and all hotels/dhabas have agreed to it… This has been decided for out kanwar route.”

However, a massive political backlash had enforced Muzaffarnagar police to modify its earlier order and change it to “voluntary” from “mandatory”. CM’s new order is, however, mandatory. The advisory of Muzaffarnagar police attracted criticism even by some BJP leaders such as the former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi who said the move would give rise to untouchability. However, most of the BJP leaders are supporting such orders.

Such blatantly communal orders may have political impact on NDA’s fate too, which is evident from the criticism of this order by BJP’s allies. The National Spokesperson of the JD(U), KC Tyagi has demanded that the order be withdrawn as it may cause communal tension and there should not be any discrimination based on religion or caste.

Another BJP ally from Uttar Pradesh, the RLD, has also questioned the move and appealed to the state government to reconsider its decision. RLD leader Anil Dubey said, “This decision is wrong and it should be reviewed. Our party leader Jayant Chaudhary also has the same opinion.”

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi attacked Yogi Adityanath by calling him possessed by “Hitler’s soul”. “We condemn this order as it violates Article 17 of the Indian Constitution, which prohibits untouchability. … This order, which directs the display of name and religion is a violation of Article 21 (right to life) and Article 19 (right to livelihood).” He compared the directive to the boycott of Jewish business during Hitler’s era in Nazi Germany.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has called it “a social crime aimed at dividing society.” He urged the judiciary to get to “the bottom of the intent” and take action. A former SP leader Dr ST Hasan has alleged, “A message in being given to boycott Muslims and visit shops of Hindu. How long will this communal thinking last? Unfortunately, these kinds of incidents are happening. A gap is being created between the two communities.”

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera has objected to the order and said, “Whether this is a step towards economic boycott of Muslims or Dalits, or both, we do not know. Those who wanted to decide who eats what, will now also decide who buys what from whom.” Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai has said, “They are trying to impair the sense of brotherhood in society, trying to create distance among people.”

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has said that these measures are “completely unconstitutional” and are being implemented solely for “electoral gains”. She condemned the order as an attempt to economically ostracize individuals belonging to a specific religious community.

BJP’s spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has objected to the criticism of the order and has requested all eateries to comply with the order to ensure Kanwarias Astha is not hurt by false information. BJP’s Amit Malviya has also criticized the opposition.

In reference to Muzaffarnagar, the farmer leader and spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Chaudhary Rakesh Titkai has said that the district had already suffered greatly during the 2013 Hindu-Muslim riots, and therefore, communal harmony should be given a chance and both the communities together should organize Kanwar Yatra. The order would create disharmony. (IPA Service)