PATNA: Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi defended the Uttar Pradesh police directive requiring fruit sellers along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their names at their stalls, amid criticism from opposition parties and BJP allies like JD(U) and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).
Manjhi, who heads the Hindustani Awam Morcha, spoke to journalists on Saturday, asserting, "I cannot speak for other parties, but I see nothing wrong with such an order. What is the harm if people involved in businesses are asked to display their names and addresses prominently?"
He further elaborated, "In fact, such display only makes it easy for buyers to spot a favourite stall. It is wrong to view the episode through the prism of religion."
His stance marked a divergence from other political figures, such as Union Minister Chirag Paswan, another Dalit leader from Bihar, who criticized the directive. Paswan said, "Casteism and communalism have harmed the country more than anything else."
The directive has attracted allegations from the opposition that it aims to marginalize Muslim fruit sellers during the pilgrimage season.
The JD(U) chief spokesman K C Tyagi also condemned the order, highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan "sabka saath sabka vikas" and pointing out that similar directives have not been issued in other states associated with the Kanwar Yatra, such as Bihar, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan.
Manjhi, who made his parliamentary debut at the age of 79 in recent elections, has previously faced criticism from the BJP for various remarks, including his statement that "Lord Rama is imaginary, not historical," and his critical comments about Brahmins.
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