The Yogi government initially justified the order by citing potential law and order issues and is now using cleanliness as a reason.

After facing displeasure from the Congress high command, the Himachal Pradesh government has withdrawn an order issued by the state food and supplies minister, Vikramaditya Singh. The order required all food and beverage outlets—dhabas, restaurants, and hawker stalls—to display name and address plates. Singh had issued this order, inspired by a similar directive from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Yogi Adityanath argued that, to ensure the cleanliness of food, it is necessary to make those who prepare and sell it accountable. He stated that it is the responsibility of the owners of shops, dhabas, or hawker stalls to ensure food is prepared in a hygienic manner and with respect for the religious sentiments of customers. In this context, Yogi referred to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) rules, emphasizing the need for accountability in the unorganized food sector in light of recent hygiene-related controversies.

The tone of Yogi's orders was similar to those issued by Vikramaditya Singh, which likely led to the Congress high command's discontent. On the same day the Congress was accusing Yogi of playing 'communal games' in the name of food security, a Congress minister in Himachal Pradesh issued a similar directive, putting the party leadership in a difficult position.

Two months ago, the Yogi government faced criticism from the Supreme Court for divisive politics related to food. The Court quashed an order by the District Magistrate of Muzaffarnagar, which had required canteens along the Kawad Yatra route to display names and addresses. The Supreme Court stated that this order was an indirect call for a boycott of Muslim-owned shops and stalls. The country's secular constitution does not allow for such directives.

The Yogi government initially justified the order by citing potential law and order issues and is now using cleanliness as a reason. Politically, it's clear that the real aim is to consolidate Hindu voters ahead of by-elections for 11 vacant state assembly seats.

A similar strategy was followed by the Congress minister in Himachal Pradesh. He saw Yogi's formula as a way to address communal tensions arising from mosque-related issues in Shimla and other parts of the state, where the BJP had benefitted. This strategy highlights that Congress leaders, too, seem more focused on vote-bank politics than party ideology.

Interestingly, both those who engage in communal politics and those who oppose it appear unaware of an important aspect of the FSSAI order issued in 2006 and the rules established in 2011. Under these rules, every food and beverage outlet or street vendor is required to obtain a license from the relevant municipal or panchayat authority before starting operations. They are also required to display the license certificate, which includes the owner's name and details.

Unfortunately, political and administrative circles prioritize neither the enforcement of this rule nor other regulations, such as the limitation on reusing oil more than eight times to prevent it from becoming harmful.