India’s Supreme Court intervened on Monday to suspend directives issued by police in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand that required restaurants to publicly display owners’ names. These directives, aimed at eateries along the Hindu Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage route, had sparked criticism over potential discrimination against Muslims.

Initially issued by Muzaffarnagar’s Senior Superintendent of Police on Thursday and extended statewide on Friday, the directives sparked controversy. The orders, issued in districts governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), aimed to mitigate dietary conflicts during the pilgrimage, where many pilgrims follow vegetarian diets. Critics, including opposition leaders such as Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and civil rights groups, argued that the directives could foster communal division and economically target Muslim-owned businesses.

The groups challenged the directives on constitutional grounds, alleging violations of Article 15(1) for discrimination, Article 21 for privacy, Article 19(1)(g) for business freedom, Article 19(1)(a) for expression, and Article 14 for arbitrariness.

In response to multiple petitions challenging these directives, a Supreme Court bench led by Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S.V.N. Bhatti issued an interim order suspending their enforcement. The bench emphasized that while establishments may indicate the type of food served to accommodate pilgrims, they cannot be compelled to reveal personal or religious identities of owners or staff.

Senior Advocate A.M. Singhvi, speaking during the proceedings, argued, “The directives risk promoting discrimination and compromising constitutional values.” The court underscored the importance of upholding constitutional rights to equality and non-discrimination.

The ruling comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of policies perceived as targeting India’s Muslim minority. Political adversaries of Modi’s BJP have accused the government of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain, allegations that have been denied by Modi and his supporters.

The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage that attracts millions during the monsoon, passing through cities like Muzaffarnagar and Ghaziabad before ending in Delhi.

The response of the affected states and their police departments ahead of the Kanwar Yatra, which passes through several states known for their religious significance, is yet to be seen.