Vikramaditya Singh, a minister in the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, has said that like Uttar Pradesh, his government has also decided to make the ‘identity at shops’ public. After this order of Vikramaditya, there has been a ruckus within the Congress party itself.
Vikramaditya Singh, a minister in the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, has said that like Uttar Pradesh, his government has also decided to make the ‘identity at shops’ public. After this order of Vikramaditya, there has been a ruckus within the Congress party itself. Many big leaders of Congress have expressed their objection to this. However, there has been no reaction from Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. Vikramaditya Singh reiterated his stand for the second consecutive day on Thursday and said that this is an issue related to internal security. On the other hand, the BJP has termed Vikramaditya’s decision as correct.
Amidst the controversy over his decision, Vikramaditya Singh reiterated his point and also tried to explain the reason behind it. Talking to ANI, Vikramaditya Singh said, ‘People from outside the state are welcome in Himachal. Himachal is a part of the country. Anyone can come for work. But the internal security of the state has to be maintained, because this is leading to the spread of drugs in the state, it has to be kept in order, law and order has to be maintained. Hygiene has to be kept in mind. The High Court has also expressed concern. Therefore, we have decided in the meeting that everyone will have to reveal their identity, whether someone is from Himachal or from outside. This is related to the security of Himachal and the concern of the people.’
No order from UP: Rajiv Shukla
Senior Congress leader and Himachal in-charge Rajiv Shukla tried to cool down the controversy by saying that Vikramaditya has not taken any decision on the lines of UP. He said that Vikramaditya’s statement is being presented in a wrong way. Shukla said, ‘No order has been issued on the lines of UP. Vikramaditya has said that only legal shopkeepers and street vendors can sit. Himachal Vidhan Sabha has set up a committee, it has people from all parties. License will be given for how street vendors can be made to sit, given space and regularized. There is no point in comparing with UP. It is not that a photo has to be put up, it will be shown that this is so and so’s shop. It is being misrepresented, there is no such order of Himachal government.’
TS Singh Deo also got angry
Former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo has also objected to this decision. He said, ‘I do not agree with the decision of the Himachal government. I saw a video on social media in which people are putting crosses on the shops of minorities to say that we have to boycott them, this is condemnable. If the Himachal government is doing this, then questions will be raised on whether it is worthy of being in power or not.’
BJP said it was right
BJP justified Vikramaditya Singh’s statement. Former CM of the state Jairam Thakur said, ‘We had started that there should be registration and verification. Vikramaditya is talking about the same today. At that time many people of Congress were making fun of us. Today they are also saying that there should be identification at the shop. He has said the right thing but don’t know how long he will last. Anirudh Singh had said something similar in the assembly but the next day his legs faltered. There was an order from above to remove him from the cabinet, then he changed his stance.’