Humanity vs Halal: Kangana Ranaut & Sonu Sood fight over UP order for shops to display owner’s name on Kanwar Yatra route
The debate over the Uttar Pradesh government’s directive for food shops on the Kanwar Yatra route to display names of owners has escalated into a public spat between two prominent figures in Indian cinema and politics. Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, the newly elected BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, has openly questioned actor Sonu Sood’s stance on the issue.
Sonu Sood took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his opinion against the government’s order, suggesting that shops should only display the word “HUMANITY” on their nameplates. His post read, “There should be only one name plate on every shop: ‘HUMANITY’.”
Sood’s statement quickly garnered attention, with numerous social media users interpreting it as a critique of the Uttar Pradesh government’s directive. The directive, issued by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, mandates that food and beverage shops along the Kanwar Yatra route display the name and identity of their operators to maintain the sanctity of the pilgrims’ faith.
Additionally, action will be taken against those selling halal-certified products.
In response, Kangana Ranaut took to X to counter Sood’s statement, suggesting that the term “halal” should be replaced with “HUMANITY”. Her post read, “Agree, Halal should be replaced with ‘HUMANITY’.”
The discussion has drawn comments from other notable figures as well. Screenwriter Javed Akhtar strongly criticised the administration’s directive, comparing it to discriminatory practices in Nazi Germany.
He posted, “Muzaffarnagar UP police have given instructions that on the route of a particular religious procession in the near future, all the shops, restaurants and even vehicles should show the name of the owner prominently and clearly. Why? In Nazi Germany, they used to make only a mark on particular shops and houses.”
The directive by the Uttar Pradesh government has sparked a political controversy, with the BJP and the opposition engaging in a heated debate. The government’s decision aims to ensure transparency and uphold the religious sentiments of Kanwar Yatra pilgrims while critics argue that it could lead to unnecessary communal tension.
