The Supreme Court on Friday extended its interim order that halts the directives from the Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh governments, which required eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to prominently display the names and identities of owners and staff.
A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti stated that they would not issue any clarification on their July 22 order, as the order already addressed the necessary points. “We have said what needed to be said in our July 22 order. Can’t force anyone to disclose names,” the bench noted.
The court has granted Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh additional time to file their responses, scheduling the next hearing for two weeks from now. Earlier on Friday, the Uttar Pradesh government defended its directive in an affidavit submitted to the court.
The Supreme Court also dismissed an intervention by Kanwar pilgrims who supported the state directives, arguing that it would violate their fundamental rights to religious customs and practices.
Government’s Defense of the Directive
The Uttar Pradesh government, in its affidavit, argued that the directive to display shop owners’ names along the Kanwar Yatra route is intended to ensure a peaceful pilgrimage and enhance transparency. The directive, they stated, was in response to complaints from Kanwariyas about confusion regarding the names of shops and eateries.
The Yogi Adityanath government explained that the measure aims to provide clarity and allow Kanwariyas to make informed choices about the food they consume during the Yatra. The government emphasized that this directive respects the religious beliefs of the Kanwariyas and seeks to prevent any inadvertent conflicts.
Supreme Court’s Interim Order
On Monday, the Supreme Court temporarily halted the enforcement of the contentious directives from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which required eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display details about their owners and staff. The court also issued notices to the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh, where a similar order was implemented in Ujjain.
The directive’s intent, according to the Uttar Pradesh government, is to ensure a smooth and orderly pilgrimage for the Kanwariyas, who undertake the annual journey to fetch holy water from the Ganges River. This directive was introduced in response to specific complaints from pilgrims about food safety and the need for greater transparency.
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Broader Implications
The ongoing legal battle over these directives highlights the delicate balance between religious practices and governmental regulations. The Supreme Court’s intervention underscores the judiciary’s role in mediating such conflicts and ensuring that the fundamental rights of all citizens are upheld.
As the court awaits responses from Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh, the implications of this directive on religious customs and practices will continue to be a point of contention. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar issues are handled in the future, particularly in regions where religious pilgrimages intersect with state regulations.
The next hearing, scheduled in two weeks, will further address these concerns and determine the future of the directives aimed at eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route.
