Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has taken aim at actor Sonu Sood following his remarks on a new directive by the Uttar Pradesh government regarding the Kanwar Yatra. The controversy began when Sood posted on social media advocating that shop nameplates along the Kanwar Yatra route should display the word “HUMANITY” rather than the owners’ names.
The Uttar Pradesh government recently issued an order requiring food and beverage establishments along the Kanwar Yatra route to prominently display the names and identities of their operators. This measure aims to uphold the sanctity of the pilgrimage route.
In response, Sonu Sood suggested that shopkeepers should only display the term “HUMANITY” on their nameplates. His post drew criticism from various quarters, with some interpreting it as a critique of the government’s directive.
Kangana Ranaut joined the fray by challenging Sood’s stance. On social media, she commented, “Agree, Halal should be replaced with ‘HUMANITY’,” implying a call for inclusivity over specific religious markings.
Screenwriter Javed Akhtar also weighed in, condemning the order. He likened the directive to historical precedents, stating, “Muzaffarnagar UP police has given instructions that on the route of a particular religious procession, all the shops, restaurants, and even vehicles should display the owner’s name clearly. Why? In Nazi Germany, they used to mark particular shops and houses.”
The order issued by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also includes measures against those selling halal-certified products. This has sparked a heated debate between the ruling BJP and opposition parties, with various figures voicing their opinions on the impact of the directive.