Supreme Court Stays Orders Mandating Owner Names on Eateries Along Kanwar Yatra Route

New Delhi: The Supreme Court issued an interim stay on Monday against the Uttar Pradesh government’s directive requiring eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display owner names. Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatt granted the ex-parte order in response to petitions challenging the directive’s validity.

The court issued notices to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and other states where the Kanwar Yatra occurs, scheduling the next hearing for July 26. The bench clarified that while food sellers may be required to indicate the type of food served to Kanwariyas, they cannot be compelled to disclose owner or staff names.

Petitioners, represented by senior counsels, argued that the directive contradicted secularism and promoted discrimination based on religious and caste identity. They contended that it violated Article 15 of the Constitution.

The Uttar Pradesh government had implemented this decision on July 19, citing law and order concerns. However, opposition parties and Muslim organizations criticized it as discriminatory.

Similarly, the Ujjain Municipal Corporation in Madhya Pradesh had also ordered shop owners to display names and contact information, with fines for non-compliance.