The Uttar Pradesh government has staunchly defended its directive requiring shop owners along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their names prominently, opposing petitions challenging the order.
In a detailed submission to the Supreme Court, the state government emphasized that the directive aims to ensure a peaceful and orderly pilgrimage for the millions of Kanwariyas, devotees of Lord Shiva, who participate in the annual Kanwar Yatra. This pilgrimage involves fetching holy water from the Ganges River and is marked by various sacred practices and rules.
“The yatra is an arduous journey, where some Kanwariyas , i.e. the Dak Kanwariyas, do not even stop to rest once the Kanwar is on their shoulders. There are sacred features of the pilgrimage, such as the fact that the Kanwar, once filled with holy Gangajal, is not to be kept on the ground; nor under the shadow of the gular tree. It may also be noted that a Kanwaria embarks on the Yatra after years of preparation,” the government stated in its defense.
The Uttar Pradesh government explained that the directive was issued in response to specific complaints from Kanwariyas regarding confusion caused by the names of shops and eateries along the route. Pilgrims had raised concerns about the food being served, leading to apprehensions regarding its preparation in line with religious practices.
Despite the government’s explanations, opposition parties have criticized the directive, labeling it as ‘anti-Muslim’ and accusing the government of creating societal divisions.
Devotees across the nation began their Kanwar Yatra on July 22, coinciding with the first Monday of ‘Sawan’. Many devotees flocked to temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, such as the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, the Kali Paltan temple in Meerut, and the Jharkhandi Mahadev Temple in Gorakhpur, to offer their prayers and take a holy dip in the Ganga to mark the auspicious occasion.
The state government reiterated that the directive was implemented solely to address the complaints and ensure a smooth and respectful pilgrimage for the Kanwariyas
