On Sunday, 21st July, Ujjain Municipal Corporation’s Mayor Mukesh Tatwal issued orders directing shopkeepers to prominently show the name and phone number of the owner outside the shop. The directive came shortly after Uttar Pradesh government and Uttarakhand government issued similar orders for the shops that fall on the Kanwar Yatra route. In case anyone fails to obey the Mayor’s orders, there is a provision of a fine of Rs 2,000 for the first violation and Rs 5,000 for the second violation.

In a statement, Tatwal said, “The purpose of the order is not to target Muslim shopkeepers but to ensure security and transparency”. The month of Sawan starts on 22nd July 2024. Ujjain, the holy city of Mahakal, witnesses a sea of devotees from all over the world during the holy month of Sawan who visit the city to offer prayers at Mahakal Temple. Madhya Pradesh’s chief minister Mohan Yadav is also from Ujjain.

Notably, the mayor-in-council earlier approved a proposal to allow shopkeepers to display their names in the shops. It was then sent to the state government for objections and formalities. He said, “All the formalities have already been completed. The implementation was delayed as the nameplates initially had to be of the same size and colour. Now, we have relaxed these conditions. Displaying the names and mobile numbers of shopkeepers will now be sufficient.”

He further stressed that it enhances customer safety. The directive is also included in the MP Shop Establishment Act and Gumasta License. He said, “Ujjain is a religious and holy city. People come here with religious faith. They have the right to know about the shopkeeper from whom they are buying goods. If a customer is dissatisfied or has been cheated, then knowing about the shopkeeper can solve his problem.”

Interestingly, shopkeepers in Bodh Gaya have already started putting up display boards with shopkeepers’ names given the pilgrimage devotees undertake to Mahabodhi Temple during the month of Saavan.

UP and Uttarakhand governments issue orders to show the names of shopkeepers

It all started with the orders by the Muzaffarnagar administration directing shopkeepers and cart owners to prominently display the names of the owners and workers. The aim was to avoid any dispute during the Kanwar Yatra. Left-liberals and Islamists objected to the orders calling it discriminatory. Following the controversy, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, stepped in and issued orders to show the names of shopkeepers and cart owners across Kanwar Yatra Marg. Taking inspiration from UP, the Uttarakhand government also issued similar orders.