Himachal eateries ID row: Vikramaditya Singh reaffirms commitment to Congress ideology in meeting with Mallikarjun Kharge
PTC News Desk: Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday, where he reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the party's ideology and principles. The meeting followed concerns raised by the Congress high command regarding Singh’s recent remarks about mandating eateries in the state to display the names of their owners, a move that had stirred controversy.
Singh's comments had sparked widespread disapproval within the Congress party, with some leaders criticising the suggestion as being potentially communal in nature. In response, the Congress leadership sought clarification from Singh, and during his meeting with Kharge, he aimed to address these concerns.
According to reports from news agency PTI, Singh emphasized his loyalty to the party and its principles. He also clarified his position during discussions with K.C. Venugopal, the Congress General Secretary in charge of organization. "I apprised Venugopal ji of the real situation and assuaged his concerns about ideology. I assured him that we are dedicated and loyal soldiers of the party and will not do anything that contradicts the party line," Singh stated.
Singh further explained that his remarks were misrepresented by the media, leading to unnecessary controversy. He asserted that his comments were misunderstood as a directive similar to policies in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, which mandates identity disclosures in certain sectors.
"That was a misconception portrayed by the media. The Congress high command took cognizance of the issue, and we provided them with the facts and figures to clear up any misunderstanding," Singh added.
The minister clarified that his suggestion was driven by concerns within Himachal Pradesh about the rising number of migrants in the state, which had led to apprehensions among the local population. His intent, he explained, was not to create a divisive policy but to address these local concerns.
Following the backlash, the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh distanced itself from Singh's initial suggestion. It made clear that no decision had been taken to mandate street vendors or eatery owners to display their names or other identification at their stalls. The All India Congress Committee's (AICC) Himachal Pradesh in-charge, Rajiv Shukla, confirmed that discussions had been held with both Singh and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to resolve the matter.
Shukla clarified the government's stance, stating that while street vendors and business owners would be regulated and required to obtain licenses to avoid police harassment, there was no requirement for them to publicly display their names as owners. "Designated places will require identification such as Aadhaar cards and licenses, but no mandatory signage will be imposed on the owners," Shukla said in a statement last Thursday.
Vikramaditya Singh’s meeting with Mallikarjun Kharge and other Congress leaders appears to have quelled concerns within the party regarding his recent remarks. By reiterating his loyalty and providing clarifications, Singh has sought to smooth over any misunderstandings and maintain unity within the party ranks. The Congress high command is expected to continue monitoring the situation to ensure alignment with the party's principles and public messaging.
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- With inputs from agencies
