On July 22, the Supreme Court extended its interim stay on directives issued by the state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh, which required eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners.
The bench, comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti, maintained that they could not compel individuals to disclose such information, as stated in their earlier order.
The court clarified that while it does not prevent anyone from voluntarily displaying names, the stay specifically applies to any mandates requiring it.
The court was hearing petitions from the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, TMC MP Mahua Moitra, Professor Apoorvanand, and columnist Aakar Patel, challenging the state governments' regulations. The Supreme Court has requested responses from the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand to these petitions, and has allowed the petitioners to file responses to the state governments' replies.
The case is scheduled for further hearing on August 5.
The Uttar Pradesh government defended its directive, explaining that it aimed to enhance transparency and prevent confusion during the Hindu pilgrimage. The state government noted that the directive was a response to complaints from Kanwariyas, who reported issues related to the identification of shops and eateries.
The directive was part of a broader effort by police authorities to maintain peace and ensure a smooth experience for pilgrims.
In its submission, the Uttar Pradesh government clarified that there were no bans or prohibitions on the trade or business of food sellers, other than a restriction on selling non-vegetarian food. The requirement to display owners' names was described as an additional measure to avoid potential confusion among pilgrims and ensure transparency.
The Supreme Court's interim stay on the directive, initially issued on July 22, remains in place until further notice.