Brinda Karat Criticizes Himachal Government's Order for Eateries to Display Owners' Names

By A Staff Reporter
In a recent statement, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat voiced her strong opposition to the Himachal Pradesh government's order requiring eateries to display the names of their owners. She likened this move to the communal tactics employed by the Uttar Pradesh government during the Kanwar Yatra, where accusations were made against Muslim vendors along the route. Karat noted that the Supreme Court had intervened in that instance, criticizing the actions taken by the UP government and putting a stay on the matter.

Karat described the Himachal government's decision as not only surprising but also extremely disappointing. "The fact that the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh should take a similar step is something which is not only surprising, it's extremely disappointing and we oppose it," she stated.

While acknowledging that shops typically have names, Karat argued that the requirement to display the owner’s name is more than just a nominal action. "What are you asking for? You are asking the shop owner to display his community and his caste through his name. That is what you are doing," she said. She emphasized that this practice has never been seen before in India and warned that it threatens to divide shops based on caste and community affiliations.