Today, On 22nd July, TMC MP and petitioner Mahua Moitra criticized the Supreme Court’s verdict on ‘nameplates’ along Kanwar Yatra routes, calling it an “unconstitutional order.” She argued that the decision undermines constitutional principles.
New Delhi: After the Supreme Court imposed an interim stay on ‘nameplates’ for eateries along the Kanwar Yatra routes, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and petitioner Mahua Moitra criticized the decision, calling it an “unconstitutional order” that contradicts the fundamental principles of the Constitution.
On Monday, the Supreme Court temporarily issued stay directives from certain state authorities requiring eateries on the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners outside their establishments.
The TMC MP stated,
“I am happy; we had filed the petition yesterday, and it came up in the Supreme Court today. It is a completely unconstitutional order against the fundamental principles of our Constitution, specifically Articles 15 and 19. There is a stay on the order, and there is no requirement to display the identities and names of owners and employees. Only the Veg/Non-Veg symbol is to be put in the shops,”
Moitra expressed her gratitude towards the TMC party, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and the Supreme Court for their support.
She stated,
“I am glad that we stood up, and I am very thankful to my party and my leader, Mamata Banerjee, who has always opposed anything unconstitutional,”
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant also praised the Supreme Court’s decision on ‘nameplates in Kanwar Yatra’, saying,
“I welcome this verdict. The Supreme Court has acted to protect the Constitution. This kind of divisive politics is typical of the ruling BJP.”
Similarly, JD (U) leader KC Tyagi welcomed the ruling and expressed his gratitude to the court.
Tyagi remarked,
“I welcome the Supreme Court’s decision. We feared this rule would divide society, and I am thankful the Supreme Court addressed this concern,”
A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti issued notices to Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh, where the Kanwar Yatra takes place.
The bench ruled that state police cannot compel shopkeepers to display their names, but can only require them to indicate the food items they offer.
The bench stated in its order,
“Until the returnable date, considering the discussion, we find it appropriate to issue an interim order prohibiting the enforcement of the above directives. In other words, food sellers and hawkers may be required to display the type of food they are serving to Kanwariyas, but they must not be forced to disclose their names,”
The matter set for hearing on July 26.
The Supreme Court addressing a series of petitions challenging the directive issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, which required shop owners to display their names outside their establishments during the Kanwar Yatra season.
The police claimed that the directive was necessary for maintaining law and order. This directive reportedly enforced across several districts in Uttar Pradesh, with Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh implementing similar measures.
Petitions filed by Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, Delhi University Professor Apoorvanand, and activist Aakar Patel. They argued that the directives caused religious discrimination and questioned the authority of officials to issue such orders.
Last week, the Uttar Pradesh government instructed food and beverage shops along the Kanwar Yatra routes to display the name and identity of the operator/owner of their establishments.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Mahua Moitra, pointed out that Kanwar Yatras have been taking place for decades, with people of all religions, including Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists, offering assistance to the pilgrims.
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