Kanwar Yatra 2024: Concerns Raised Over UP’s QR Code Mandate for Businesses
The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition on July 15th, challenging a directive by the Uttar Pradesh government requiring businesses along the Kanwar Yatra route to display QR codes revealing the identities of their owners.
Privacy and Discrimination Concerns Prompt Legal Challenge
The public interest litigation (PIL), filed by academic Apoorvanand Jha and others, alleges that this mandate could lead to discriminatory profiling of shop owners. They argue that making owners’ identities readily accessible through QR codes raises privacy concerns and could potentially expose them to unwarranted scrutiny or harassment.
Supreme Court’s Previous Stance on Similar Measures
This isn’t the first time such a directive has been challenged. The Supreme Court has previously suspended similar orders implemented by other BJP-led states, citing concerns about the privacy and safety of shop owners. The court’s decision in this case will have significant implications for the ongoing debate surrounding security measures and individual rights during religious events.
