Congress raps Vikramaditya Singh over Himachal’s eateries’ order: Sources

Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh was summoned to Delhi and reprimanded by the Congress brass over a controversial order issued by his department mandating food outlets across the state to display the name and address of their owners. The development came as the Congress came under fire on social media as well as within the party over the move as it had criticised a similar move by the Uttar Pradesh government during the Kanwar Yatra a few weeks back.
Sources told India Today that Vikramaditya Singh, who heads the PWD and Urban Development ministry, has been asked not to give controversial remarks on this matter. Sources said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was upset with Singh.
The Himachal Urban Development Ministry’s order came under criticism from Congress leader TS Singh Deo, who called it a reprehensible and discriminatory move.
“I don’t understand why it should be done. Because the Uttar Pradesh government took a decision during Kanwar Yatra, why do we have to name an individual’s shop? Don’t understand the logic behind it. You are not selling the individual, you are selling the brand. There is absolutely no necessity to name a person,” the former Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister told India Today.
AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam said the Congress was now toeing the BJP’s line and spreading hatred. The AIUDF leader also attacked the party for adopting the “UP model” days after Yogi Adityanath directed mandatory display of names of operators, proprietors and managers at eateries across the state.
“What is the difference left between the BJP and the Congress? The BJP always spreads hatred. The Congress is also following the same line, instigating fights between Hindus and Muslims. It is unfortunate that Congress is also adopting the Uttar Pradesh model,” Islam said.
The Congress has also faced brickbats on social media, with users calling out the party’s “hypocrisy”.
The party is a fix as it had vehemently criticised a similar order issued by the Uttar Pradesh government to eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route in July. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera had denounced the move as “state-sponsored bigotry”.