Amid the controversy over the Uttar Pradesh government’s order directing the eateries along the Kanwar route to display their owners’ names, a similar circular has been issued by the BJP-ruled Ujjain Municipal Corporation.
The corporation has directed the shopowners in the city to display their names and mobile numbers outside their establishments. Any violation of this order will attract a fine of Rs 2,000 for the first offence and Rs 5,000 if the order is defied for the second time.
"All formalities have been already completed. The implementation was delayed as the nameplates were initially required to be of the same size and colour. Now, we have relaxed these terms. Displaying the names and mobile numbers of shopkeepers will suffice," Ujjain Mayor Mukesh Tatwal told news agency PTI.
He, however, clarified that the directive is not meant to target Muslim shop owners, but rather to ensure safety and transparency.
Ujjain is the hometown of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The new order comes ahead of the Savaan month during which the Mahakal temple in the ancient city attracts thousands of devotees from across the globe.
"Ujjain is a religious and holy city. People come here with religious aastha. 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," the mayor said.
The Uttar Pradesh government, in a recent order, has directed all eateries along the Kanwar route to display their owners’ name—a move that drew criticism even from the BJP allies.
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief and Union minister Jayant Chaudhary on Sunday said Kanwar yatris don’t check people’s religion before accepting “sewa” from them.
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan has already raised objection to the Yogi Adityanath government’s directive.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Indore-2 assembly seat Ramesh Mendola wrote a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav urging him to make it mandatory for all shopkeepers in Madhya Pradesh to display their names outside their shops.
Meanwhile, Ramesh Mendola, a BJP MLA from Indore-2 seat, has urged Chief Minister Yadav to make it mandatory for all shopkeepers in Madhya Pradesh to display their names outside their shops.
"The name of any person is his identity. A person is proud of his name. Asking for the name is the customer's right and the shopkeeper should be proud to tell his name, not be ashamed," he said.
