By Wg Commander Satish Aparajit (Retd)
In the past decade, the Kamwaria Yatra has seen a significant surge in participation, leading to the closure of the national highway from Delhi to Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh for two weeks every year. The Kanwarias, primarily from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi, travel through areas such as Muzaffarnagar, a predominantly Muslim town, on their journey to Haridwar. For years, they have passed through without any major incidents, enjoying the hospitality of various tents offering free food, washing areas, and numerous dhabas serving vegetarian food at reasonable prices. The ownership of these dhabas was never questioned—until now.
Recently, dhaba owners were instructed by the State Government to declare the name of the proprietor, sparking controversy. However, my aim is not to critique the state government’s directive but rather to highlight a broader point: when it comes to skilled services, many people instinctively turn to members of a particular community. Here’s a conversation among friends and family walking back from Haridwar to their villages after collecting kanwad.
A: Let’s stop at this dhaba. Last time, the Aloo Parathas were excellent.
B: No, we can’t eat here.
A: Why not?
B: Because the owner has misled us. The dhaba is called ‘Ganesh’ but it’s owned by someone from a minority community. How can they use Hindu names and deceive people? What guarantee is there that no non-vegetarian food is being prepared here? We should thank the state government for making us aware of this. Who knows what their intentions are? I’ve even heard that they spit in the food before serving it. Isn’t that disgusting?”
A: I don’t believe that. Do you know that dhaba owners are required to display a certificate of registration, which provides all the information about the owner? So, what was the need for this new rule?
B: You’re so naive, always defending that community like the so-called Khan Market gang.”
C: (Joining the discussion) Tell me something, B. You always praise your bike mechanic, who is from a minority community, and you even recommend him to others, saying he’s the best in town. So why does it matter if we eat at this dhaba? It’s one of the best around here.
A: C, you’re absolutely right. Remember the mason and electrician who worked on my house? They did an outstanding job, and when you needed repairs, you called them too. You were full of praise for their skills, not to mention the carpenter you can’t stop talking about, who made your furniture. So why the sudden hesitation to eat at a dhaba owned by a non-Hindu? We never cared about this before—why now?
D: (Another group member joins in) How can we treat fellow Indians differently? Your parents, complexion, religion, and name are not choices you make; they’re circumstances you’re born into. And let’s not forget, naming a dhaba is just a marketing strategy to attract customers. Do you know how Pakistani and Bangladeshi restaurants in England often label themselves as ‘Indian’, with only a small mention of their actual nationality? It’s a smart way to run a business. So, what’s in a name? Let’s drop this discussion, order some food, and enjoy our meal.
The group, after a hearty and satisfying meal, left the dhaba content and at peace.
