By ABHAY KUMAR
Several BJP-ruled states have recently introduced detailed guidelines aimed at preventing alleged incidents of individuals “spitting” in food. Under these new orders, the police verification of hotel owners and workers, as well as the installation of CCTV cameras in kitchens, have been made mandatory. The Pushkar Singh Dhami government of Uttarakhand even announced a fine of up to one lakh rupees for offenses related to spitting in food. Such measures do not merely violate the Indian Constitution (Articles 14, 15, 19, 21 and 25 of the Constitution) but are socially divisive and discriminatory. They have not however been condemned by a large segment of the political opposition.
This decision by the Dhami government came shortly after the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh also implemented similar strict guidelines. In the name of preventing contamination of food by saliva (thook) and human waste, a new regime of surveillance is being put in place. Reports from Uttar Pradesh indicate that the Yogi government has vowed to take strict action against any eatery worker found to be an “intruder” or “illegal foreign citizen.”
At a function held on October 13 in Kichha, Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami stated, “Religious conversion, encroachment, land jihad, and thook jihad will not be allowed in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.” Two days later, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that strict measures would be implemented to prevent food adulteration. As he put it, “Recent incidents involving contamination of food items such as juice, lentils, and bread with human waste or other dirty substances have been disturbing and adversely affect public health. These incidents also harm social harmony and are utterly unacceptable.” Their statements were reported in The Organiser (October 16, 2024), the English weekly and mouthpiece of the RSS.
According to media reports, Yogi Adityanath held a high-level meeting with officials on October 15 to discuss these proposed laws. While supporters of these guidelines claim they aim to prevent any form of food contamination and ensure consumer safety, growing concerns suggest that these measures are likely to be misused against marginalized communities, particularly Muslims and Dalits.
This story was originally published in sabrangindia.in. Read the full story here.