SC Refuses to Stay QR Code Order for Kanwar Yatra Route
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu)- The order making QR code mandatory on dhabas and restaurants on the Kanwar Yatra routes will remain in force. The Supreme Court has currently refused to stay the order of the Uttar Pradesh government. The Uttar Pradesh government has made it mandatory to have a QR code indicating the name of the owners on the food shops, dhabas and restaurants located on the Kanwar Yatra routes, which was challenged in the Supreme Court.
A bench of Justice MM Sundaresh and Justice NK Singh heard the petition challenging the government's order on Tuesday. After the arguments of both the sides were completed, the Supreme Court gave its verdict and refused to stay the order for the time being. Justice Sundaresh remarked, "I am a secular minded person. I personally have no problem with this, but it is completely a matter of personal choice. If a restaurant is completely vegetarian from the beginning, then there is no problem in it. But if they are changing their menu only for the Kanwar Yatra, then there may be a problem there." Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared in the Supreme Court on behalf of the petitioners.
He described the QR code rule as religious profiling and economic boycott of the Muslim community. He cited the previous decision in the Supreme Court. Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "Only last year, the Supreme Court had banned such a decision of the state government. In such a situation, before this new order, the government should have taken permission from the court." In another comment, the Supreme Court said, "There are many people who do not eat at places where non-vegetarian food is also prepared. In such a situation, there should be some sign to know what is being served there. Religious sentiments should not be hurt, but at the same time no one's livelihood should be affected. We have to find a middle way."
The Supreme Court said in its order, "We will only pass an order that all the concerned hotel owners should follow the order to display the license and registration certificate as per the statutory requirements. We clarify that we are not considering other controversial issues right now." Giving information about the Supreme Court's decision, advocate Barun Sinha said, "The court refused to pass any order on Tuesday in the QR code case. The court gave its decision only on the interim application filed by the Muslim side. The order is that they will have to show the license and registration certificate."