Controversy Erupts Over Uttar Pradesh's Directive on ID Cards for Kanwar Yatra Route Shops

A new directive by the Uttar Pradesh government mandating food shops on the Kanwar Yatra route to display ID cards has sparked widespread controversy. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, MP Kapil Sibal, and CPIM leader Brinda Karat have criticized the move, while BJP leaders defend it as a security measure.

Amid the escalating controversy over Uttar Pradesh's directive for food shops on the Kanwar Yatra route to display ID cards, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the move as reflective of widespread hatred towards Muslims in India. He slammed both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and secular parties for fostering such sentiments.

"Fear on UP's Kanwar routes: This is the reality of hatred for Indian Muslims. Credit for this visceral hatred goes to political parties/leaders of Hindutva and so-called lip servicing secular parties," Owaisi said in a post on 'X', sharing a photo of an egg stall displaying the owner's name. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal also questioned the directive, asking, "Is this the route to a 'Viksit Bharat'? Divisive agendas will only divide the country!"

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat compared the directive to Nazi Germany, accusing the Yogi Adityanath government of undermining the Constitution and humiliating an entire community. She urged courts to take action against the move.

On the other side, BJP leader Mohsin Raza supported the directive, citing the need for enhanced security and better management of the Kanwar Yatra. He argued that the directive conveyed a message of harmony and security, dismissing opposition criticisms as politically motivated.

BJP National General Secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam also dismissed concerns, asserting that local residents, including Muslims, welcomed the Kanwar yatris and had no issues with the directive. He accused some people of politicizing the matter. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that displaying names and identities would maintain pilgrims' faith sanctity and announced actions against those selling halal-certified products.

The directive has escalated into a political slugfest between the BJP and the opposition, intensifying debates on communal harmony and constitutional rights. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)