July 17, 2025: Best photos from around the world
Items collected by people, who go to the river to hunt for coins and other valuables from the waters of river Yamuna, are kept in a container in New Delhi.
Credit: Reuters Photo
A drone view shows Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition TISZA party, paddling a canoe on the Tisza River as he starts his 80-day tour of the country near Tokaj, Hungary.
Credit: Reuters Photo
Lava emerges through a fissure following a volcano eruption near Grindavik, Reykjanes, Iceland.
Credit: Reuters Photo
Rapid Action Force personnel conduct patrolling on the Kanwar Yatra route, in Meerut.
Nava Raipur Atal Nagar has been transformed into an IT hub, in Chhattisgarh.
Credit: Reuters Photo
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Hans India
6 hours ago
- Hans India
Kanwar Yatra: Display licenses - SC refuses to stay QR code directives to eateries
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the 'QR' code directive for eateries along Kanwar Yatra route in UP, Uttarakhand and directed all hotel owners along the route to display their licences and registration certificates in line with the statutory requirements. A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh said it was not going into the other issues over display of names of the hotel or dhaba owner and the QR code, Tuesday being the last day of the Kanwar Yatra. 'We are told that today is the last day of the yatra. In any case it is likely to come to an end in the near future. Therefore, at this stage we would only pass an order that all the respective hotel owners shall comply with the mandate of displaying the licence and the registration certificate as per the statutory requirements,' the bench said. The top court was hearing a plea filed by academician Apoorvanand Jha and others. Senior advocate Abhishek M Singhvi, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that the UP government should have sought the modification of the court's 2024 order before issuing the QR code directives. Singhvi argued the state government was trying to ostracise and exclude minorities by its QR code directive for eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route. 'This is the most divisive initiative, to ostracise people during the yatra, as if these people are untouchables. Will my surname ensure that 'kanwariyas' receive good quality food not menu card? This is the most divisive initiative possible,' the senior lawyer submitted. Referring to news reports over the alleged attacks on certain shops by kanwariyas, the senior lawyer said, 'When you sow the seeds of divisiveness, the rest is taken care of by the populace.' Responding to his submission, Justice Sundresh said people had different food choices and a vegetarian may choose to go to only a place serving exclusively vegetarian food, especially during a religious pilgrimage. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, said directions were issued in line with the requirements of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regulations. 'There are people in this country who will not eat in there brother's house if meat is cooked. There are sentiments of devotees,' Rohatgi said, 'and as per the regulations under the Act they require photo identity. Why are you scared of showing your name? I don't understand.' Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing other petitioners, said the eateries along this route only sold vegetarian items during this period according to local regulations. Justice Sundresh observed a customer must have the choice of knowing if a place was exclusively selling vegetarian items throughout. 'If a hotel is running as a vegetarian hotel all through, then the question of indicating names and other things will not arise. But if only for the purpose of yatra, somebody stops serving non-vegetarian and starts selling vegetarian, the consumer should know,' the judge remarked.
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Consumer is king, says SC on owner details display
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the Uttar Pradesh government's direction to eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display QR codes with the ownership details of the food joints, underlining that 'consumer is the king' and should be allowed to make an informed food choice. Consumer is king, says SC on owner details display A bench of justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh directed hotel owners to display their licence and registration certificate, as required under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, and posted the matter after two weeks for compliance of its order. 'The sentiments of devotees should not be affected. At the same time, the livelihood of shop owners should not be affected too. The court has to strike a balance,' the bench remarked. Arriving at a balance, the court was conscious that consumers need to be given the choice to decide whether they would prefer to eat from a pure-vegetarian hotel or one that serves vegetarian food during the yatra. 'We are concerned with consumers. It must be his choice. Ultimately, consumer is the king. We need to prioritise the interest of consumers,' it added. The order came as the court was hearing applications filed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmaker Mahua Moitra and Delhi University professor Apoorvanand Jha, challenging the Uttar Pradesh government's press note dated June 25 directing food sellers along the Kanwar Yatra route to display QR codes, containing ownership details of the eatery and other legal compliance. The petitioners argued that the regulations issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) do not permit for QR coding. They also cited a July 22, 2024 order of the top court that stayed a similar direction by the UP police last year directing the eatery owners to display their as well as their employees' names in front of the shop. The applications claimed the present order issued by the UP commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) was an attempt to 'circumvent' the stay by introducing requirements for QR code. When senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for Jha, sought a clarification that the name of owners need not be displayed on QR code, the bench said: 'All these issues are left open. We are not going into this issue. You may challenge it before the high court. In any case it is infructuous…We are informed today is the last day of Yatra and in any case it is likely to end in near future.' It added: 'At this stage we only pass an order that all hotel owners shall comply with the mandate of displaying the licence and registration certificate as required statutorily.' The UP government, represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, said the requirement for QR code has been issued by the competent authority under FSSA. The state submitted that not a single affected shop owner had approached the court and questioned the right of the petitioners to challenge the state's direction. 'These devotees are highly sentimental. They would not like to have food from a shop which used to serve non-vegetarian food till a month ago using the same utensils,' Rohatgi said. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the applicants, said: 'This is all about identity politics. This is the most divisive policy to ostracise a minority community during this Yatra which alienates them. It sows the seeds of identity division, is a direct assault on secularism and is per se unconstitutional, violating right to equality, right to practice profession and right to life under Articles 14, 19(1)(g) and 21 [of Constitution].' During this time of the year, he said, all shops along the Kanwar route strictly sell only vegetarian food. 'You can boycott a food based on the menu card, not on the identity of the owner…,' Singhvi added.
News18
8 hours ago
- News18
School Closed Today, July 23: Holiday In Many Districts Of UP, Telangana, Tamil Nadu & Kerala
Last Updated: School Closed Today: Several districts in UP, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have declared a school holiday today, July 23. Several states across India have announced school holidays for today, Wednesday, July 23, due to a mix of religious events, protests, and official mourning. Students in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Kerala will get the day off for different reasons. North India: Kanwar Yatra Leads To Closures In Uttar Pradesh, several districts including Noida (Gautam Buddha Nagar), Ghaziabad, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, and nearby areas have announced school closures due to the Kanwar Yatra, which concludes today, July 23. The annual pilgrimage sees lakhs of Lord Shiva devotees carrying Ganga water, leading to heavy traffic and safety concerns across the state. In Noida, all schools from Classes 1 to 12 have been shut. Online classes were held on July 21 and 22, but physical classes will resume from July 24, according to district authorities. The decision was taken in view of anticipated road congestion and to ensure the safety of students. Other districts, including Baghpat and Saharanpur, had already closed schools since July 16 as part of precautionary steps during the peak days of the yatra. Officials have urged parents to follow updates from school administrations and avoid travel near key Kanwar routes due to expected traffic delays. In Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu, schools are closed today for Aadi Thiruvathirai, a festival celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva. Students in the region also have holidays on July 24 and July 28, making this a festive week. Telangana: Student-Led Bandh Shuts Schools In Telangana, student unions have called a statewide bandh to protest rising fees and delays in scholarship payments. The government has not declared an official holiday, but many schools and junior colleges have chosen to remain closed today to avoid disruptions and ensure safety. Kerala: Public Holiday After Former CM's Demise In Kerala, the state government has declared a public holiday today in honour of former Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan, who passed away on July 21. Schools, colleges, and government offices will remain closed. The state is also observing three days of mourning, and the leader's funeral will take place in Alappuzha. What Parents Should Do? Since school closures vary by location and reason, parents are advised to check with local school authorities and follow local news for the latest updates. Some areas may have normal classes, while others may be shut due to precautionary reasons or local events. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
