The Uttar Pradesh government has strongly opposed petitions contesting its directive for shop owners along the Kanwar Yatra route to prominently display their business names.

In a detailed submission to the Supreme Court, the Uttar Pradesh government stated that the directive was issued to ensure a peaceful and orderly pilgrimage. The government further explained that the directive was a response to complaints from Kanwariyas regarding confusion caused by the names of shops and eateries along the route.

"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 said in its statement.

The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage where devotees of Lord Shiva, known as Kanwariyas, travel to fetch holy water from the Ganges River, drawing millions of participants each year. The Uttar Pradesh government asserted that the directive was introduced in response to specific complaints from Kanwariyas. Pilgrims had allegedly raised concerns about the food being served along the route, which led to apprehensions about its preparation in line with religious practices.

The opposition has criticized the government, labeling the directive as 'anti-Muslim' and accusing it of aiming to create divisions within society.