Supreme Court Halts Order Requiring Restaurants to Display Owners’ Names in Northern States
India’s Supreme Court has intervened to suspend police orders in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand that mandated restaurants and roadside carts to display the names of their owners. Critics argued that this directive could lead to discrimination, particularly against Muslims.
The controversial orders were issued in states governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, aiming to assist Hindu pilgrims during the holy month of Shravan. However, the court ruled that while restaurants should disclose the type of food they serve, they cannot be compelled to reveal the identities of their owners.
With concerns about potential communal tensions, the court will further investigate the matter. The decision has sparked debate, with some seeing it as an attempt to exclude Muslims from the pilgrimage route. This move has brought attention to existing sectarian issues in the region, raising questions about religious freedoms and social harmony.
As the court reevaluates the situation, the implications of this ruling on minority communities and the overall social fabric remain at the forefront of discussions.