• Source:JND
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Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has opposed the  Muzaffarnagar police advisory asking the owners of eateries to display their names and added that he will "absolutely … never support or encourage" any divide in the name of caste or religion. In an interaction with the PTI editors, Chirag, when asked if he supported the advisory, said, "No, I don't."

The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president said that he believes two classes of people—rich and poor—exist in society, and persons of different castes and religions fall into both categories.

"We need to bridge the gap between these two classes of people. It is every government's responsibility to work for the poor, which includes all sections of society such as Dalits, backwards, upper castes and Muslims as well. All are there. We need to work for them," Paswan said.

He added, "Whenever there is such divide in the name of caste or religion, I absolutely do not either support it or encourage it. I do not think any educated young person of my age, irrespective of the caste or religion they come from, is affected by such things."

Paswan, the 41-year-old Lok Sabha MP, described himself as an educated young person of the 21st century whose battle is against casteism and communalism. He also held these factors primarily responsible for the backwardness of his home state, Bihar. Casteism and communalism have harmed Bihar the most. He said he has the courage to speak publicly, as he does not believe in these things.

Another BJP ally, Janata Dal (United), had earlier also criticised the advisory, which, police have insisted, is meant to ensure that there should be no confusion among 'kanwarias' (pilgrims on route to offer holy water to Lord Shiva) and no law-and-order situation arises.

Several leaders, who are with BJP in centre, have opposed the decision by Uttar Pradesh government. 

Earlier, RLD said that the  diktat of asking vendors to show nameplates was absolutely wrong

"Gandhiji, Chaudhary Charan Singh and other personalities have spoken about keeping religion and caste behind. Now, politicians are taking forward religion and caste forward in politics. I think the action is not correct. Why do you make someone write their name on street carts? They have the right to work...This tradition is absolutely wrong. It is up to the customer, they can make purchases from wherever they want...I would like to ask politicians - does consuming alcohol not corrupt you religiously? Does it happen only when you consume meat? So, why is there no prohibition on alcohol? Why do they not speak about alcohol? Because those who do business have a nexus, it is a game of the powerful. These small shops are set up by the poor. So, you are pointing fingers at them. I would demand that ban alcohol too, RLD National General Secretary Trilok Tyagi".

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath mandated that food and beverage shops along Kanwar routes display the name and identity of the operator/owner to maintain the sanctity of the pilgrims' faith. Additionally, action will be taken against those selling halal-certified products.

The Congress slammed the directive, which police have said is voluntary, as "an assault on India's culture", alleging that it intended to normalise the economic boycott of Muslims.

The BJP, which is in power at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh, has defended the measure, claiming that it allows fasting Hindus who may want to eat at a pure vegetarian restaurant, where the likelihood of them being served 'satvik' food is higher.