Kanwar Yatra 2024: Supreme Court to Hear Plea Against UP’s QR Code Mandate

The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition on July 15 challenging the Uttar Pradesh government’s directive mandating businesses along the Kanwar Yatra route to display QR codes that reveal the identities of their owners. This move has sparked concerns over potential discrimination and privacy violations.

Concerns Raised Over Discrimination and Privacy

Academic Apoorvanand Jha and other petitioners have filed a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging discriminatory profiling. They argue that requiring shop owners to publicly display their identities via QR codes could expose them to unnecessary risks and prejudice. This is particularly concerning given the sensitive religious context of the Kanwar Yatra.

Previous Supreme Court Intervention in Similar Cases

The Supreme Court has previously suspended similar orders issued by other BJP-led states, citing privacy concerns for shop owners. The court’s intervention in this case suggests a potential pattern of concern regarding the balance between security measures and individual rights.