The official justifications for the action include preserving the sanctity of the pilgrims’ faith and facilitating the peaceful movement of kanwariyas, but it is clear that the minority Muslim population would be singled out. That’s why Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has threatened to take legal action against retailers that sell goods with halal certification.
Violence has occasionally broken out during the two-week Kanwar Yatra when shopkeepers and kanwariyas argue about food, especially the selling of meat. During the yatra in western Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region, there were “grave incidents of vandalism” of both private and public property, which the Supreme Court took seriously in August 2018.
Source: Times Now
After an incident, a gang of yatris from Haryana are accused of killing an Army member in Haridwar in 2022. It is the state government’s responsibility to ensure that there are enough police officers along the route to prevent conflicts or disturbances.
Marking out Muslim-owned businesses won’t solve the community’s problems or ensure that kanwariyas and merchants or bystanders won’t clash. Notably, the UP decision has been criticised by two BJP allies, namely the Janata Dal (United) and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). Chief BSP leader Mayawati has referred to it as “unconstitutional.”
Source: CNBC-TV18
In the most recent Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha elections, the BJP’s polarisation strategy did not work. The party, it seems, is unable to resist the temptation to test it out prior to the Assembly byelections. After the election upset, the BJP appears to be in a precarious position and is eager to win over disgruntled Hindu supporters. But the ruse could backfire and make the party’s problems in UP worse.
What do you think about this? Comment below.
