The Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government faced backlash after announcing that shopkeepers would be required to display their identity cards at their businesses. Many drew comparisons to a similar move by the Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh, which Congress had previously opposed.

Following intervention from Congress leadership, the Himachal government clarified on Thursday that no official decision had been made to mandate shopkeepers or eateries to display ID cards. Party sources revealed that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge communicated his disapproval to Himachal Pradesh in-charge Rajiv Shukla, who then conveyed Kharge’s concerns to Himachal Minister Vikramaditya Singh.

Shukla explained that the issue arose from a recommendation by an Assembly committee tasked with regulating shops and street vendors. He stressed that the situation in Himachal was different from Uttar Pradesh’s political and communal motivations, clarifying that shopkeepers in Himachal are not required to display names or photos at their establishments.

Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania also confirmed the formation of a committee to oversee street vendor regulations, but emphasized that no concrete decisions had been made yet. The committee’s findings, once finalized, will guide future actions.

Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh initially supported the decision, citing concerns from locals about the increasing number of migrants in the state. He announced that street vendors would be required to display ID cards and that food vendors would undergo hygiene checks by the food supplies department.

The issue gained attention after recent protests following the demolition of unauthorized sections of a mosque in Sanjauli. Hindu groups demanded that workers from outside the state be registered and that street vendor licenses be issued exclusively to locals. These groups claimed an increase in Muslim street vendors was a growing concern.