New Delhi: In the matter of Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar police issuing an advisory asking eatery owners to display their names before their business along the Kanwar Yatra route, BJP's ally and Union Minister Chirag Paswan unequivocally stated his disapproval. He said that he would never support or encourage any divide in the name of caste or religion, PTI reported.
The minister, also Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president, told PTI that he doesn't support the Uttar Pradesh administration's bid. He said that the rich and poor exist in society, and people of different castes and religions fall into both categories.
"We need to bridge the gap between these two classes of people. It is every government's responsibility to work for the poor, which includes all sections of society, such as Dalits, backward, upper castes, and Muslims as well. All are there. We need to work for them," Paswan said.
He added, "Whenever there is such divide in the name of caste or religion, I absolutely do not either support it or encourage it. I do not think any educated young person of my age, irrespective of the caste or religion they come from, is affected by such things." The 41-year-old third-term Lok Sabha MP described himself as an educated young person of the 21st century whose battle is against casteism and communalism.
Paswan held these factors primarily responsible for the backwardness of his home state, Bihar. Casteism and communalism have harmed Bihar the most. He said he has the courage to speak publicly as he does not believe in these things.
Another BJP ally, Janata Dal (United), had earlier also criticised the advisory, which, police have insisted, is meant to ensure that there should be no confusion among 'kanwarias' (pilgrims on route to offer holy water to Lord Shiva) and no law-and-order situation arises.
The Congress slammed the directive, which police have said is voluntary, as "an assault on India's culture", alleging that it intended to normalise the economic boycott of Muslims.
The BJP, which is in power at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh, has defended the measure, claiming that it allows fasting Hindus who may want to eat at a pure vegetarian restaurant, where the likelihood of them being served 'satvik' food is higher.