Kanwar Yatra 2024: The recent move to displaying names of hotels and dhabas on the Kanwar Yatra route has spilled onto the political ground. The action was taken after a demand from the Minister of State of the state government. On the other hand, former president of Delhi Muslim Commission, Zafarul Islam Khan, and MP Asaduddin Owaisi termed the move as Judenboycott of Germany’s Hitler.
Initial Demand and Concerns
The demand was initially raised by Mahant Yashveer Maharaj of the Baghra Ashram, who had said that shops running under the names of Hindu deities and being operated by Muslims may confuse Kanwariyas, and this might lead to problems in the law and order situation. Minister of State Kapil Dev Agarwal also came out in its support for naming shops after the shop operator. Yeti Narasimhanand Giri also extended its support.
In response, the police conducted patrols along the Kanwar route and Delhi Doon Highway. The SSP Abhishek Singh urged hotel and dhaba owners to change the names of the establishments and display the names inscribed on those employed in these places before Kanwariyas. The move, in an effort to avoid confusing the Kanwariyas, soon went viral on social media, triggering a political debate.
Owaisi’s Condemnation and Historical Comparisons
AIMIM President and MP Asaduddin Owaisi took to social media to express his apprehension. He posted on X, the microblogging site earlier known as Twitter, condemning the directive. Owaisi drew a parallel between the stipulation of shop owners displaying their names with apartheid in South Africa and the Judenboycott in Nazi Germany. He said the directive could be used to deny Kanwariyas custom to Muslim shop owners.
Akhilesh Yadav’s Critique
On this Akhilesh Yadav said, ” and what will be known from the name of the one whose name is Guddu, Munna, Chhotu or Fatte? The honourable court should take suo motu cognizance and investigate the intentions of the government behind such administration and take appropriate punitive action. Such orders are social crimes, which want to spoil the peaceful atmosphere of harmony.”
Police Clarification and Intentions
Muzaffarnagar Police responded and clarified its stand, saying this measure had been taken to avert confusion so as not to disappoint the faith of devotees. According to the police, during the Yatra, Kanwariyas avoid certain food items mentioned in shop names, and there were past instances when shop names confused them and even resulted in possible unrest. It was an appeal, not an intention of offending people, to keep peace and order during the Yatra.
The debate persists, rooted in deep tensions and complexities that come into play when one is faced with balancing religious sentiment with communal harmony in a diverse society.