'If Ramdev has no problem, then what irks Rahman?': Baba Ramdev questions nameplate row on Kanwar Yatra route

“If Ramdev has no problem, then what irks Rahman?” the yoga guru asked.

Reacting to the barrage of criticism by the Opposition parties over Uttar Pradesh government’s order, Ramdev said purity in one’s work is the only requirement and their religion is insignificant.

"If Ramdev has no problem in revealing his identity, then why should Rahman have a problem in revealing his identity? Everyone should be proud of their name. There is no need to hide the name; only purity is required in work. If our work is pure, it does not matter if we are Hindu, Muslim, or from any other community," Ramdev was quoted as saying by NDTV.

The controversy arose when the Uttar Pradesh government mandated that food establishments along the Kanwar Yatra route display the names of their owners. While this measure was intended to promote transparency and accountability, many perceive it as a covert effort to identify and target Muslim-owned businesses.

The opposition has slammed the Yogi Adityanath regime for the order, with All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi alleging that it reflected “visceral hatred” towards Indian Muslims.

"Fear on UP's Kanwar routes: This is the reality of hatred for Indian Muslims. Credit for this visceral hatred goes to political parties, leaders of Hindutva, and so-called lip-servicing secular parties," claimed All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

Samajwadi Party raised the issue in the today’s all-party meeting, asserting that the order was “completely wrong”.

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal also criticised the directive.

"Kanwar Yatra Route UP directs eateries including roadside carts to display the names of owners! Is this the route to a 'Viksit Bharat'? Divisive agendas will only divide the country!" Sibal wrote on social media.

On opposition’s objection, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said, "This is a matter of the state government, if the state government comes up with any new rule, then everyone has to obey it.”

Meanwhile, the Muzaffarnagar Police clarified that the intention behind the order was not to create religious discrimination but to facilitate the devotees.

The police said that eateries have been requested to "voluntarily display" the names of their owners and employees.

Haridwar District Magistrate Dhiraj Singh Garbyal also claimed that the order is only directed to ensure "the convenience of the public and allow people to know the details of the food outlet's owner."

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut responded to actor Sonu Sood's appeal for "humanity" to be the only nameplate, suggesting that the term "Halal" should be replaced with "HUMANITY."

Sood had earlier posted on social media, "There should be only one nameplate on every shop: 'HUMANITY.'"

West Bengal BJP Chief Sukanta Majumdar defended the directive, pointing out that similar notifications had been issued during the tenures of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav.

"Opposition is misleading people and spreading lies. A similar kind of notification was issued during Mulayam Singh Yadav's government, and Akhilesh Yadav's government also issued such notifications... It's a routine exercise and not specific to the Kanwar Yatra. The law requires that names be registered, not identifying anyone by religion," Majumdar told ANI.