Yoga guru and entrepreneur Baba Ramdev recently expressed his support for the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments’ directive requiring shopkeepers along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their names. This decision has stirred significant debate, reflecting broader tensions around religious identity in India.
Baba Ramdev’s Support for the Name Display Order
On a Sunday morning, Baba Ramdev publicly backed the governmental directive, asserting that everyone should take pride in their names and identities. “If Ramdev has no problem in revealing his identity, then why should Rahman have a problem in revealing his identity? Everyone should be proud of their name. There is no need to hide the name, only purity is required in work. If our work is pure, it does not matter if we are Hindu, Muslim, or from any other community,” he stated.
Extension of the Directive to Ujjain
Following the steps of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the Ujjain municipal body issued a similar order, mandating shopkeepers to display their names. Ujjain Mayor Mukesh Tatwal announced that violators would face fines—₹2,000 for the first offence and ₹5,000 for subsequent violations.
Tatwal emphasized the religious significance of Ujjain and the rights of visitors to know the identities of the shopkeepers serving them. “Ujjain is a religious and holy city. People come here with religious aastha (faith). They have the right to know about the shopkeeper whose services they are availing. If a customer is dissatisfied or cheated, knowing the shopkeeper’s details allows them to seek redress,” he explained.
Opposition and Controversy
The directive has been met with strong opposition from various political leaders and parties. All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the order, arguing that it exemplifies the growing hatred towards Muslims in India. “Fear on UP’s Kanwar routes: This is the reality of hatred for Indian Muslims. Credit for this visceral hatred goes to political parties, leaders of Hindutva, and so-called lip servicing secular parties,” Owaisi posted on social media.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat also criticized the Uttar Pradesh government, accusing it of undermining the Constitution of India. “The Uttar Pradesh government is destroying the Constitution of India by issuing such orders… A whole community is being humiliated… They are trying to divide society… This type of targeting was done by Nazis in Germany… I condemn it,” she said.
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to divide the country along religious lines. “Now you (BJP) are directing food stalls to put up nameplates based on caste and religion? Do you want to divide the country? You won’t profit from it. You are breaking the nation’s unity,” Raut asserted.
BJP’s Defense and Accusations
In contrast, West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar defended the order and accused the opposition of misleading the public. He claimed that similar notifications had been issued during the tenures of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav. Majumdar also accused Owaisi of playing a divisive role similar to that of Jinnah.
Broader Implications and Context
The directive for shopkeepers to display their names has broader implications for the social and political fabric of India. Supporters argue that transparency and identity pride are crucial, especially in regions with significant religious tourism. Critics, however, contend that such measures are discriminatory and exacerbate existing religious tensions.
The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage in which millions of Shiva devotees, known as Kanwariyas, collect water from the Ganges River and carry it across hundreds of kilometers to their local Shiva temples. The pilgrimage, while deeply religious, has often been accompanied by heightened security measures and occasional communal tensions.
Conclusion
The debate over the name display order reflects the complex interplay between religious identity, governmental authority, and social harmony in India. As both sides of the argument continue to voice their perspectives, the directive’s implementation and its impact on communal relations will be closely watched.
Future Developments
As the situation evolves, further responses from both governmental authorities and opposition leaders are anticipated. Monitoring these developments will be essential to understanding the broader implications for religious and social dynamics in India.