CM Dhami Emphasizes: Pilgrims Must Get Pure Food, No Compromise on Health

Dehradun/Uttar Pradesh: The ongoing Kanwar Yatra in Uttarakhand has sparked a political row over administrative instructions mandating “name plates” for food establishments along the pilgrimage route. Addressing the controversy, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reiterated that the Kanwar Yatra is a symbol of faith and devotion, and there should be no politics over such a sacred event.

Speaking to the media, CM Dhami said, “The Kanwar Yatra is part of our tradition and belief. Every year, nearly 4 crore pilgrims from across the country come to Haridwar and Rishikesh, collect the holy water of Maa Ganga, and return to their respective regions. In such a spiritual journey, the food provided to them must be pure and safe.”

Reacting to the issue, senior Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said that the faith of pilgrims must be respected, and their journey must be safe, comfortable, and well-organized. He added, “It is the duty of state governments to ensure maximum facilities for Kanwar pilgrims, and the Supreme Court’s guidelines must be implemented in full letter and spirit.”

Strict Measures for Food Safety

Uttarakhand’s Health Secretary and Food Safety Commissioner Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar stated that this year, an estimated 7 crore pilgrims are expected to participate in the Kanwar Yatra. In light of this, extra vigilance is being maintained along the yatra route for food safety.

Dr. Kumar said, “As per the Chief Minister’s directives, all commercial establishments along the yatra route must display their food license and registration details. This will allow the food safety department to ensure that all vendors are authorized and are providing hygienic food.”

He further warned that any violation of rules would result in strict action under relevant provisions. Regular inspections and quality checks of food items are being carried out by the department to maintain high safety standards.

The Core of the ‘Name Plate’ Controversy

The controversy stems from certain administrative orders that required food vendors along the Kanwar route to display their name, license, and registration number. The aim was to curb illegal and unlicensed businesses. However, in some places, this directive was misinterpreted or linked to religious identity, leading to confusion and unnecessary controversy.