Mahadangal: Religious Identity Debate Resurfaces Ahead of Kanwar Yatra in Uttar Pradesh | ABP NEWS

As the holy month of Shravan approaches and preparations for the Kanwar Yatra begin in Uttar Pradesh, a fresh wave of communal controversy has erupted over shop identification and religious affiliation. Tensions intensified after an incident at a dhaba in Muzaffarnagar, where an employee was allegedly mistreated during an unofficial identity verification campaign. This campaign—led by right-wing Hindu groups—calls for food vendors, particularly along the Kanwar Yatra route, to display nameplates identifying the owner's religion. It also insists on banning the sale of non-vegetarian food during Shravan. Posters of Hindu deity Varaha are being distributed by these groups to "certify" Hindu ownership of businesses. Critics, including opposition parties like the Samajwadi Party, accuse the BJP and affiliated groups of promoting religious discrimination and polarizing society for political gain. They argue that this campaign unfairly targets Muslim vendors by branding them deceitful if they operate under Hindu names or symbols. Supporters of the drive claim the campaign protects Hindu pilgrims from unknowingly consuming food that violates their religious restrictions. They say customers have a right to know the identity of the person they’re buying from—especially during sacred observances. Amid rising tensions, the BJP has defended the movement as a cultural and religious safeguarding measure. However, legal experts note that only administrative bodies—not private individuals—have the authority to enforce such checks. With Shravan beginning in just six days, calls for peace, lawful conduct, and communal harmony are growing louder.

india