On 24th July (local time), US State Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller responded to a question about the implementation of the directive of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments to put up names of owners and workers of shops, restaurants and carts on Kanwar Yatra marg and outside Ujjain Mahakal Temple. The question was asked by Pakistani journalist Jahanzaib Ali who is known for putting up questions making it easier for the US Government to meddle with India’s internal affairs. It was interesting to see him asking the question and the reply that followed as it appeared scripted.
#WATCH | On the 'nameplates in Kanwar Yatra' issue, US State Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller responds to a Pakistani journalist’s question, "We have seen those reports. We have also seen the reports that the Indian Supreme Court on July 22 issued an interim stay on the… pic.twitter.com/9XcX4NliIa
— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2024
Ali asked, “Indian media is reporting that in a few states, the BJP government is forcing Muslim owners of restaurants to display their Muslim names at their eateries, but due to growing hate against Muslims, they fear it will bring more problems for them. What are your thoughts when you see such kind of action by any government?” Ali’s emotionless read of the question from the mobile made it evident that he was not prepared to ask the question.
Matthew Miller replied citing the Supreme Court’s interim stay on the directive and said, “We have seen those reports. We have also seen the reports that the Indian Supreme Court on July 22nd issued an interim stay on the implementation of those rules, so they’re not actually in effect now. Speaking generally, we are, as we always say, committed to promoting and respecting universal – promoting and protecting, I should say, universal respect for the right of freedom of religion and belief for all anywhere in the world, and we have engaged with our Indian counterparts on the importance of equal treatment for members of all religious communities.”
Interestingly, Matthew Miller was all prepared to answer the question with all the facts in hand even though it is a rather trivial regular development in India and ideally, he should have restrained from commenting on it considering India-US relations. Notably, the next date in the matter has been set as 26th July by the Supreme Court of India. The reply of the US State Department’s spokesperson is now in public and it should be seen as a pressure tactic on the Indian judicial system as well as on the Government of India. So far, the Union Ministry of External Affairs has not released any statement in this regard.
How a glaring error in Jahanzaib Ali’s question was overlooked, was it deliberate?
Curiously, Miller, who had all the details and developments regarding the order and Supreme Court’s subsequent order, did not bother to point out a glaring error in Jahanzaib Ali’s question. The directive of the UP, MP and Uttarakhand govts was for ALL the vendors and shopkeepers to display their names along the Kanwar routes, not just Muslims. The order, now stayed by the Supreme Court, was applicable on Hindu vendors too but Ali carefully phrased his question to imply only Muslim vendors were forced to display their names.
It is just that only some Muslims had a problem with displaying their names in their shops.
Interestingly, Jahanzaib Ali deliberately made it sound like a Muslim-specific order and Miller didn’t bother to rectify it, despite being obviously aware of the facts of the case, along with all recent developments and the Supreme Court order too.
Supreme Court prohibited displaying names outside eateries
On 22nd July, the Supreme Court of India gave interim relief to petitioners against the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand directive asking shopkeepers, eateries, hotels, restaurants, dhabas etc to display their names and their workers’ names prominently outside the shop. The directive that was first given by Muzaffarnagar police was to ensure the Kanwariyas did not face any problems while choosing where to buy food items in order to ensure their religious practice. However, the petitioners contended in the court that it was against the constitution and discriminatory promoting untouchability. As there was no one representing the states in the court, an interim order favouring the petitioners was passed. The next date of the hearing is 26th July. The court, however, left a window for legislative intervention.
Who is Jahanzaib Ali?
Jahanzaib Ali is originally from Pakistan. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has been associated with Pakistani channel ARY News since October 2014. His questions targetting India are well-documented. OpIndia’s report on Ali can be checked here.
