Kangana Ranaut reacts to Sonu Sood’s stand on UP govt’s Kanwar Yatra order

PTC Web Desk: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has raised questions about actor Sonu Sood’s stance on the Uttar Pradesh government’s directive requiring food shops on the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of their owners. This directive has sparked a debate, with Sonu Sood advocating for a more inclusive approach.

Sonu Sood posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, expressing his views that shop nameplates should only display “humanity.” His post read, “There should be only one name plate on every shop: ‘HUMANITY’.” This comment was seen by many as a critique of the government’s order and received backlash from social media users who viewed it as a disagreement with the mandate.

There should be only one name plate on every shop : “HUMANITY” ????????

— sonu sood (@SonuSood) July 19, 2024

Reacting to Sonu Sood’s position, Kangana Ranaut agreed with the sentiment but added a provocative twist. She suggested that the term “Halal” should be replaced with “HUMANITY,” implying that the focus should be on human values rather than religious or cultural distinctions.

Agree, Halal should be replaced with “ HUMANITY” https://t.co/EqbGml2Yew

— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) July 19, 2024

The controversy originated from the Uttar Pradesh Government’s recent order, which mandates that all shops and eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route must display the names of their owners. The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage for devotees of Lord Shiva, and the government aims to ensure transparency and accountability during this period.

Prominent figures have weighed in on the issue, including screenwriter Javed Akhtar, who strongly criticised the administration. He drew a parallel to historical events, stating on X, “Muzaffarnagar UP police have given instructions that on the route of a particular religious procession in the near future, all the shops, restaurants, and even vehicles should show the name of the owner prominently and clearly. Why? In Nazi Germany, they used to make only a mark on particular shops and houses.”

On Friday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath enforced the directive, emphasising the need for food and beverage shops along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the name and identity of the operator or owner. This measure is intended to maintain the sanctity of the pilgrims’ faith. Additionally, the government announced that action would be taken against those selling halal-certified products along the route, further fueling the controversy.

The move by the Uttar Pradesh Government to enforce the use of ID cards for all shops on the Kanwar Yatra route has resulted in a political slugfest between the BJP and the opposition. Critics argue that the directive targets specific communities and exacerbates religious tensions, while supporters believe it enhances transparency and ensures that the pilgrims’ faith is respected.