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The Himachal Pradesh government has found itself embroiled in controversy after its Public Works Department and Urban Development Minister, Vikramaditya Singh, declared that all eateries and food stalls in the state would be required to display the owner's ID card. This announcement, reminiscent of a similar directive issued by the BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, has triggered a wave of criticism and prompted the Himachal government to distance itself from the minister's remarks.
A spokesperson for the Himachal government quickly clarified that a committee had been formed to develop a policy regarding street vendors and no decision regarding ID card display had been made. This clarification came after the Congress central leadership conveyed its displeasure to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Vikramaditya Singh, urging them to refrain from such “divisive” actions. Rajeev Shukla, AICC in-charge for Himachal Pradesh, reportedly spoke to both leaders to express the leadership's concerns.
The incident sparked further controversy when it was revealed that Congress minority wing chief and Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi had brought the matter to Rahul Gandhi's attention during a meeting. The situation echoes a similar incident in Muzaffarnagar, where district authorities instructed businesses along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owners' names, a move that was met with criticism from the Congress towards the Yogi Adityanath-led UP government.
In response to the uproar, Rajeev Shukla issued a statement reiterating that there would be no decision akin to the one in Uttar Pradesh, emphasizing that the committee's focus was on creating designated spaces for vendors and regulating them to prevent harassment. He stressed that there was no directive from the government or the Chief Minister regarding the display of names. While Shukla asserted that the leadership had not “reprimanded” Sukhu or Vikramaditya, sources indicated that strong displeasure had been conveyed. A senior leader remarked, “This reflects weak leadership on Sukhu’s part.”
Vikramaditya Singh, who has previously expressed dissent over Sukhu's selection as CM and held differing viewpoints on issues like the Ram Temple, stood by his statement. He maintained that his comments regarding the display of IDs were based on guidelines issued by the Supreme Court and various high courts. Acknowledging that the committee discussing a policy for street vendors had not yet released its findings, he clarified that he spoke as Urban Development Minister, not as a member of the committee.
The controversy has attracted criticism from within the Congress party, with prominent members raising concerns about the potential for discrimination. CWC member and Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor argued that displaying an individual's name could lead to customer discrimination based on identity rather than product quality. He suggested that the courts may need to consider whether such requirements infringe on the Right to Privacy established in the Puttaswamy judgment.
Senior leader and former Chhattisgarh Deputy CM T.S. Singh Deo questioned the necessity of displaying an individual's name, noting that fixed businesses are already governed by the Shops and Establishment Act and required to be registered with the local authority. He expressed concern that the move appeared communal, highlighting the irony of such issues persisting 77 years after Independence.
The BJP, in response to the ongoing controversy, has criticized the Himachal government's handling of the situation. Senior BJP leader and former CM Jai Ram Thakur described the situation as a “mockery of the system,” pointing out the discrepancy between the government's denial and its minister's statement. The entire episode underscores the political sensitivities surrounding policies that touch upon identity and community, with the Congress facing internal criticism for the minister's actions and the BJP seizing the opportunity to highlight perceived weaknesses in the state government.