JULY 20, 2024 –  Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has condemned the directive, labeling it unconstitutional.

 In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Priyanka Gandhi stated, Creating division in society on the basis of caste and religion is a crime against the Constitution. This order should be withdrawn immediately and strict action should be taken against the officials who issued it. Her statement continued, emphasizing that the Constitution guarantees non-discrimination based on caste, religion, language, or other factors. She termed the order to put up name boards of proprietors as an attack on the Constitution, democracy, and India's shared heritage. Senior Superintendent of Police, Muzaffarnagar, Abhishek Singh, defended the order, stating, Preparations have begun for the Kanwar Yatra. In the area under our jurisdiction, which is around 240 km, all eateries, hotels, dhabas, and the roadside carts have been instructed to display the names of their proprietors or those running the shop. This is being done to ensure that there's no confusion among the kanwariyas and no allegations are raised in the future, leading to a law and order situation. 

However, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi claimed the move was intended to ensure that no Kanwariya purchases from a Muslim-owned shop, drawing severe criticism from various opposition leaders. Comparisons were made to apartheid policies in South Africa and the discriminatory practices in Hitler's Germany. Amid growing controversy, the police issued a statement clarifying that the order's intention was not to create any religious discrimination but to facilitate the devotees during the yatra. 
Broader Implications

This incident has ignited a larger debate on religious and social discrimination in India, highlighting the sensitive nature of policy-making in a diverse society. The opposition's reaction underscores the contentious nature of government orders perceived to infringe on constitutional rights and societal harmony. The situation remains tense as political leaders and civil society members call for a re-evaluation of the order. The broader implications for social cohesion and constitutional rights continue to be a focal point of public discourse.