"Will Names Now Be Written On Kurtas": BJP Ally Jayant Chaudhary Slams UP Govt Amid Kanwar Yatra Row

Allies of the BJP are not happy with the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government's direction to put nameplates of owners on eateries along the routes of the Kanwar Yatra. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary, a Union Minister in Modi's cabinet, has criticised the UP government and said that the "move was taken in haste."

Chaudhary said that Kanwar yatris don't check people's religion before accepting "sewa" from them.

According to him, the government is sticking to it because the move has already been taken. He further said that the decision should be reversed.

"What will be written for McDonald's and Burger King? There are many brands and big companies that operate under these names. Will names now be written on kurtas as well? Will people shake hands after asking for names and religion? This is not right," he said.

"It is not an issue. Our stand has been made clear by the state president. It is the stand of the entire party. Everyone is involved in the sewa of those traveling with Kanwar. The person carrying the Kanwar doesn't identify anyone. Those doing sewa serve them for their blessings. No one recognizes caste and religion before accepting sewa and this issue should not be linked to caste and religion," Chaudhary said while speaking with the media on Sunday.

Earlier, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan had expressed his disagreement over the advisory of the nameplates on the owners' shops.

He had said that it is the government's responsibility to work for all sections of society, including Dalits, backwards, upper castes, and Muslims as well.

Amid a huge backlash, the Muzaffarnagar Police, who first issued the advisory of nameplates on the owners' eateries, clarified that the intention behind the order was not to create religious discrimination but only to facilitate the devotees.