SC sends notice to UP govt on plea over QR code directive for eateries along 'kanwar' yatra route

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a response from the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea challenging its directive requiring eateries along the 'kanwar' yatra route to display QR codes revealing the names and identities of their owners.

A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh issued a notice to the state and scheduled the hearing for July 22 on a petition filed by academician Apoorvanand Jha and others.

Last year, the top court had stayed similar orders issued by BJP-ruled states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh, which had directed food establishments along the yatra routes to display details of their owners, staff, and other personnel.


Referring to a press release issued by the UP administration on June 25, Jha, said, "The new measures mandate the display of QR codes on all eateries along the kanwar route, which reveal the names and identities of the owners, thereby achieving the same discriminatory profiling that was previously stayed by this court."

The petition said the state government's directive asking stall owners to reveal religious and caste identities under "lawful license requirements" breaches the right to privacy of the shop, dhaba, and restaurant owners.

A large number of devotees travel from various places with 'kanwars' carrying holy water from the Ganga to perform 'jalabhishek' of Shivlings during the Hindu calendar month of 'Shravan'.

Many believers shun consumption of meat during the month. Many don't even consume meals containing onions and garlic.