'Can't Force Anyone to Disclose Names': SC on Displaying Owners' Name on Kanwar Yatra Eateries

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing controversy over the nameplate order, the Supreme Court on Friday extended its July 22 interim order, which halts the directives from the BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh governments. These directives had mandated that eateries along the Kanwar Yatra routes display the names of their owners, staff, and other details.

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S.V.N. Bhatti stated, "We have said what needed to be said in our July 22 order. Can't force anyone to disclose names." The bench did not issue any further clarification on the order and asked the Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments to respond to the challenges against their directives.

The court allowed petitioners to reply to the state governments' responses and scheduled the next hearing for August 5.

In its defense, the Uttar Pradesh government stated that the directive aimed to promote transparency, prevent "potential confusion," and ensure a peaceful yatra. The Supreme Court had previously issued an interim stay on the directives on July 22.