Sunni woman backs Yogi Govt’s mandate for vendor name in food outlets; claims Shia vendors spit on food before serving

To ensure the smooth and orderly conduct of the Kanwar Yatra, the Muzaffarnagar district administration in Uttar Pradesh implemented a new rule on July 17, 2024. This regulation requires eateries and food carts catering to Kanwariyas to prominently display their owners’ names. The aim is to prevent any confusion among pilgrims and mitigate potential allegations that could disrupt public order.

While this decision has faced significant criticism, a Sunni Muslim woman has expressed support for the move.

In a viral video, she stated, “We Sunnis and Barelvis are true Muslims; all these things are done by Shias. If you ask them for a glass of water, they will spit in it before giving it to you. I don’t approve of this behaviour and hence welcome this move by the Yogi government.”

When a journalist asked her if many vendors indeed spit on food and fruits, she nodded in agreement.

The administration of Muzaffarnagar district has issued an order requiring hotels, dhabas, and food carts to display the names of their proprietors and operators during the Kanwar Yatra.

This directive has been criticised by several Islamists as biased and discriminatory, despite the fact that the local administration did not specifically mention Muslims or any non-Hindu community.

Muzaffarnagar SSP clarified that Kanwariyas are free to purchase fruits and other goods from anyone, and the order to display vendor names applies to all, not specifically to Muslims, as some critics have suggested.

There have been several incidents where Muslim-owned shops used Hindu names to give the impression that they were owned and run by Hindus. Upon payment via UPI, which displays the real name of the user, it was revealed that these shops belonged to Muslims. This has led to concerns about some Muslim-owned food outlets using fake Hindu names to attract customers, misleading the Kanwariyas.

Additionally, viral videos showing disturbing behaviours, such as vendors spitting, licking, and even urinating on food, have further fueled distrust and outrage.

This mandate aims to prevent actions that could offend the religious sentiments of the Kanwariyas. Organiser has identified at least 15 instances where Muslim-owned establishments adopted Hindu names, such as “Shiv Shakti Dhaba,” to disguise their ownership. The government believes that this transparency will help safeguard the religious sanctity of the Kanwariyas’ pilgrimage.

In Uttarakhand, several Muslim-owned shops and dhabas were named after Hindu goddess Vaishnodevi, with the food prepared by Muslims while unsuspecting Kanwariyas ate at these eateries. These Hindu-named but Muslim-owned dhabas have made special arrangements for Kanwar Yatris.

Similarly, in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, multiple dhabas operated under the names of Hindu deities. In one case, Muhammad Anas Siddiqui owned the dhaba ‘Janata Vaishno Dhaba,’ which also catered to Kanwar pilgrims. In Bareilly, some Muslim-owned businesses operated under Hindu names, such as “Chaudhary Sweets,” to attract Hindu customers.

While eating at such places is a matter of personal choice, it raises questions about why these Muslim shops or eatery owners use Hindu names to run their businesses.

Why the subterfuge? What compels them to deceive people, especially Kanwariyas? While Hindus largely do not check the religion of a restaurant or shop owner before visiting, it is worth questioning why Muslim vendors feel the need to hide their identity.

Beyond basic transparency, dietary compliance is a crucial concern. The Kanwariyas, who follow strict dietary restrictions during the holy month of Saawan, need assurance that the eateries they patronise align with their religious and dietary beliefs. The name boards help pilgrims identify compliant eateries and avoid those misrepresenting themselves.

There have been instances where owners put up banners with images of Hindu deities, but these establishments were operated by Muslims. How can those who do not maintain transparency of identity be trusted with respecting the religious beliefs and Saatvic dietary preferences of Kanwariyas? By requiring name boards, the administration aims to prevent such deceit, ensuring that the Kanwariyas can maintain their religious practices without falling prey to misrepresentation.

The directive for vendors to place name boards is a reasonable and necessary step for the effective management of the Kanwar Yatra. It is not discriminatory but rather a pragmatic approach to ensure the event proceeds without any incidents of communal tensions or violence. This measure further facilitates the Kanwariyas to undertake their Yatra in a setting conducive to their traditions.