Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Credit: PTI Photo
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday made it clear that the eateries along the 'Kanwar Yatra' route will have to mention the names of the owners even as it banned sale of meat on the routes and also set limits for the height of DJ and ‘Tazia’ (a symbolic structure typically a replica of Imam Hussain’s mausoleum carried in Muharram processions).
The directives were issued by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath while reviewing the preparations for the forthcoming Kanwar Yatra, Jagannath Yatra and Muharram.
He also directed the officials to ensure that there was no sale of meat along the Kanwar Yatra routes anywhere.
Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage of the devotees of Lord Shiva during which the devotees fill their pitchers with the sacred Ganga waters and travel to the famous Shiva temples to offer the same there.
Millions of 'kanwarias' throng the Shiva temples in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand especially in Varanasi, Haridwar and other places.
There was a huge controversy last year during the yatra after it allegedly came to notice that many eateries, owned by the Muslims were operating on the yatra routes in western UP region. Saffron outfits had vehemently opposed it and at many places there were clashes as well.
The chief minister said that provocative slogans must not be raised during the festivals and directed for immediate action against trouble mongers.
The state government also banned display of weapons during the festivals and set limits on the sound of DJ and songs played during the yatra.
Kanwar Yatra will begin from July 11 and conclude on August nine.
Adityanath termed the recent caste related incidents as a ‘conspiracy’ to foment caste violence in the state and asked the police to remain vigilant.