New Delhi, July 19 – Chirag Paswan, Union Minister and President of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), has strongly opposed the recent advisory by Muzaffarnagar police, requiring eateries to display their names. In an interaction with PTI editors, Paswan declared his firm stance against any form of division based on caste or religion.
“No, I don’t support the advisory,” Paswan affirmed when asked about his stance. He emphasized his belief in the existence of two societal classes – rich and poor – encompassing people from various castes and religions. Paswan stressed the need to bridge the gap between these groups and underscored the government’s responsibility to uplift all sections of society, including Dalits, backwards, upper castes, and Muslims.
“Whenever there is a divide in the name of caste or religion, I absolutely do not support or encourage it,” Paswan asserted, highlighting his commitment to combating casteism and communalism in Bihar, his home state. He criticized these factors as the primary causes of Bihar’s backwardness and expressed his readiness to publicly oppose such ideologies.
The controversial advisory, which the police describe as voluntary, has drawn criticism from other political quarters as well. Janata Dal (United), another BJP ally, had previously voiced concerns, while the Congress condemned it as an assault on India’s cultural fabric.
The BJP, on the other hand, has defended the advisory, arguing that it caters to the dietary preferences of fasting Hindus during religious pilgrimages.
