Kanwar Yatra diktat row: UP govt opposes pleas challenging its order to display names of owners

The government said in a statement as quoted by NDTV, "The yatra is an arduous journey, where some Kanwariyas , i.e. the Dak Kanwariyas, do not even stop to rest once the Kanwar is on their shoulders.

"There are sacred features of the pilgrimage, such as the fact that the Kanwar, once filled with holy Gangajal, is not to be kept on the ground; nor under the shadow of the gular tree. It may also be noted that a Kanwaria embarks on the Yatra after years of preparation."

The government told the Supreme Court the directive was issued to ensure "peaceful and orderly pilgrimage".

On Monday, the Supreme Court put a hold on the diktat that has stirred a massive row with not just the Opposition but also allies of the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding its rollback.

Speaking to PTI, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan said he doesn't support anything that brings a division among people on the basis of "caste" or "religion".

The LJP (Ram Vilas) chief said he only believes in two classes of people, rich and poor.

"We need to bridge the gap between these two classes of people. It is every government's responsibility to work for the poor, which includes all sections of society such as Dalits, backwards, upper castes and Muslims as well. All are there. We need to work for them," the young politician said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

He added, "Whenever there is such divide in the name of caste or religion, I absolutely do not either support it or encourage it. I do not think any educated young person of my age, irrespective of the caste or religion they come from, is affected by such things."

Earlier, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United), an important ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP, opposed the move and asked for a review of such an order.

Rashtriya Lok Dal or RLD, another ally of the BJP, has opposed the diktat as well.

RLD national general secretary Trilok Tyag said as quoted by Hindustan Times, "Why do you make someone write their name on street carts? They have the right to work...This tradition is absolutely wrong. It is up to the customer, they can make purchases from wherever they want...I would like to ask politicians - does consuming alcohol not corrupt you religiously?

"Does it happen only when you consume meat? So, why is there no prohibition on alcohol? Why do they not speak about alcohol? Because those who do business have a nexus, it is a game of the powerful. These small shops are set up by the poor. So, you are pointing fingers at them. I would demand that ban alcohol too."

As the controversy spiked, the police clarified in a statement that the intention of the order was not to create any "religious discrimination" but only to facilitate the devotees.