The court was addressing pleas from TMC MP Mahua Moitra, academician Apoorvanand Jha, columnist Aakar Patel, and the NGO Association for Protection of Civil Rights, challenging the directives.Justices Hrishikesh Roy and R Mahadevan, due to time constraints, extended the interim order without hearing the matter in detail. An early hearing was requested, with the court promising to set a date.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court extended its interim order on Monday (5th Aug), maintaining the stay on directives from BJP-governed states Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh that required eateries along Kanwar Yatra routes to display owner and staff details.
The court was addressing pleas from TMC MP Mahua Moitra, academician Apoorvanand Jha, columnist Aakar Patel, and the NGO Association for Protection of Civil Rights, challenging the directives.
Justices Hrishikesh Roy and R Mahadevan, due to time constraints, extended the interim order without hearing the matter in detail. An early hearing was requested, with the court promising to set a date.
The matter regarding directives for shop and restaurant owners to display their names was listed today but could not be addressed due to time constraints.
The opposition criticized these directives as divisive and discriminatory against Muslims. The Supreme Court’s order ensured the Yatra proceeded without enforcement of these directives.
Counsel appearing for the petitioner stated
“Saavan month is nearing its end, so an early hearing would be appreciated”.
Justice Hrishikesh Roy Stated Understood, we will provide a date.
On Monday, the Supreme Court expressed strong disapproval of the Uttar Pradesh government’s failure to comply with its order to consider remission pleas within the specified time frame.
The court directed the principal secretary of the state’s prisons department to appear before it on August 19.
“We want to correct the system.”
-stated a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih during the hearing of a convict’s plea seeking remission in line with the state’s applicable policy. The apex court instructed the prisons department principal secretary to attend the hearing via video conference.
During the Hindu month of Shravan, a significant number of devotees travel with ‘kanwars’ carrying Ganga water to perform ‘jalabhishek’ of Shivlings. Many abstain from meat, onions, and garlic during this period.
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Besides Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Ujjain’s BJP-controlled civic body in Madhya Pradesh issued similar directives. Ujjain houses the renowned “Mahakaal” temple to Lord Shiva.
The Uttar Pradesh government defended its directive, stating it aimed to enhance transparency and ensure a peaceful yatra.
On July 22, the Supreme Court issued an interim stay on these directives, specifying that food sellers must display the type of food they offer but not the names or identities of owners and employees.
Shravan began on July 22 and will end on August 19 this year.
