SC seeks UP Govt’s reply on QR code mandate for eateries on Kanwar Yatra route

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea challenging its directive that mandates the display of QR codes at all eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route, which would reveal the names and identities of the owners.

A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh sought the state's response and scheduled the next hearing for July 22. The petition has been filed by academician Apoorvanand Jha and others, who claim that the move is a form of discriminatory profiling.

Referring to a June 25 press release by the UP administration, the petitioners argued that while framed as a licensing requirement, the directive is identical in effect to similar orders previously stayed by the court. Last year, the top court had stayed directives by Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh, which required eateries along the pilgrimage route to publicly display the names of their owners and staff.

The plea contends that the new QR code system breaches the right to privacy and could be used to identify religious or caste affiliations.

The Kanwar Yatra, observed during the Hindu month of Shravan, sees lakhs of devotees carry holy Ganga water to offer at Shiva temples. During this time, many followers avoid meat, onions, and garlic, leading to increased scrutiny of food establishments along the route.