Owner names to be written mandatorily on the shops in Kashi Vishwanath

Varanasi (UP) – After the Kanwar Yatra routes, now the shopkeepers around Kashi Vishwanath Dham will also have to write their names on their shops. There are 500 shops here, out of which 75 belong to Muslims.

The month of Shravan begins on 22^ndJuly, marking the start of the Kanwar Yatra. During this yatra, devotees bring holy water from the Ganga River to perform abhishek at Kashi Vishwanath Dham. An estimated 10 million Kanwar Yatris are expected to arrive. Ahead of their arrival, the Police have instructed shopkeepers to clearly write their names on their shops, along with details of what they sell, the number of employees, and their names. “Shopkeepers cannot sell puja material outside the temple by misleading people. Tenants cannot run shops using the owner’s name. They will have to write their real name and address outside,” the administration ordered.

40 shops run by people from other religions

There are over 500 shops selling flower garlands and puja material around Kashi Vishwanath Dham. There are 40 shops in front of Kashi Vishwanath Dham. It was found that these do not have the names of their current operators written on them. They have also been asked to write their names. Shops are run by non-Hindu shopkeepers using
Hindu Deities’ names. Notices have been issued to them by the Police. All these shopkeepers have been given 24 hours to write their names.

Hindus will no longer be deceived by name, Tilak or red thread on the wrist : Rashtriya Hindu Dal

Activists of Rashtriya Hindu Dal have urged shopkeepers in Varanasi to keep Aadhaar cards along with saffron flags and nameplates on their shops. Shopkeepers along the route from Godowlia to Kashi Vishwanath Dham selling fruits, flowers, handcarts, and stalls have been asked to keep Aadhaar cards along with nameplates. Activists have said, “What harm is there in keeping the Aadhaar card ? Why does a shopkeeper want to hide his identity and do business ? For the convenience of devotees and to maintain law and order, real identity is necessary. Hindu society will no longer be deceived by the name, Tilak or red thread on the wrist. Now, the real identity will have to be shown.”

Videos of some shopkeepers spitting in food have surfaced : UP Minister Ravindra Jaiswal

Minister Ravindra Jaiswal from the Uttar Pradesh Government stated, “The Police force has taken strict action to verify the identity of shopkeepers. To those opposing this and calling it a ‘drama,’ I want to ask, what is wrong with writing the name on the shop ? Both meat-eaters and vegetarians consume food according to their preferences. In Shravan month, people from the Hindu community wish to buy garlands and prasad with religious devotion. It is often seen on social media that some people eat meat and also sell vegetarian food items. Some are selling goods without washing their hands. In such situations, the faith of people buying these items is compromised. Videos have also surfaced showing some people spitting on the food before selling. In such situations, people have the right to know what they are buying and from which shop. There is nothing wrong in that.”

Editorial Perspective

A nationwide law should be enacted along these lines. Additionally, efforts should be made to allow only Hindu shops around the Hindu temples.