*New Delhi, July 22, 2024:* In a significant judicial intervention, the Supreme Court of India has stayed the orders issued by the governments of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, which mandated eateries located along the Kanwar Yatra route to disclose the names and details of their staff members.
The contentious directives, issued by the state administrations ahead of the annual Kanwar Yatra, had sparked a debate over privacy rights and administrative overreach. The orders required restaurants and food establishments situated on the pilgrimage route to submit detailed information about their employees, ostensibly to ensure security during the religious procession.
A bench of the Supreme CJI and Justices heard petitions challenging these orders. Advocates representing the petitioners argued that the directives violated fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution, including the right to privacy and freedom of occupation.
During the proceedings, the Chief Justice expressed concerns over the blanket nature of the orders and their potential to infringe upon individual liberties without sufficient justification. The Court emphasized the need for a balanced approach between security measures and safeguarding constitutional rights, particularly in sensitive religious contexts like the Kanwar Yatra.
The decision to stay the orders temporarily reflects the Supreme Court’s cautious approach to issues involving privacy and administrative discretion. It underscores the judiciary’s role in upholding constitutional principles while ensuring public safety and religious harmony.
In response to the Supreme Court’s intervention, legal experts welcomed the decision as a reaffirmation of individual rights in the face of governmental directives that could disproportionately affect businesses and employees.
The Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage where devotees of Lord Shiva gather to collect holy water from the Ganges River, spans several states, including Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The governments’ efforts to enhance security measures along the yatra route had included various directives to ensure the smooth conduct of the religious procession.
As the legal battle continues, stakeholders await further developments regarding the Supreme Court’s final decision on the validity of the state orders concerning eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route.
*Stay updated with us as the Supreme Court deliberates further on this critical issue.*
Author: News Khoj
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This article captures the essence of the Supreme Court’s interim stay on state orders mandating eateries to disclose staff details along the Kanwar Yatra route, highlighting the judicial scrutiny over privacy concerns and administrative measures during religious events.