Muslims in India are facing increasing job losses and business closures following the implementation of a new policy requiring restaurants to publicly display the names of all their employees.
While the governments claim the regulation is intended to ensure compliance with health and safety standards, many locals and activists argue it unfairly targets Muslim workers and businesses.
According to reports from The Guardian, names in India often signify a person’s religion or caste, causing concern among Muslim business owners about potential attacks or economic boycotts by Hindu extremist groups. “This order is dangerous; it forces us to reveal our religion,” said Tabish Aalam, a chef from Lucknow. “The government knows this, which is why it’s being used.”
Uttar Pradesh, governed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has seen a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Adityanath, known for his hardline policies, has introduced several controversial measures that many believe are aimed at the Muslim community.
Business owners in Uttar Pradesh have responded by firing Muslim employees, fearing that publicly displaying their names could lead to attacks.
Rafiq, a restaurant owner in Muzaffarnagar, dismissed four Muslim workers after police demanded he display their names. “Displaying names makes us vulnerable to attacks,” he said.
“In times of communal tension, it will be easy to identify us as Muslims.” Economic boycotts and violent attacks against Muslims have surged in recent years, with incidents like a Bajrang Dal leader being filmed encouraging people to avoid Muslim shopkeepers.
The new policy has also led to reports of selective enforcement, with Muslim-owned businesses allegedly being disproportionately targeted.
Mohammad Azeem, a stall owner in Muzaffarnagar, said, “The administration is deliberately trying to create division.” In July, the Supreme Court of India blocked a similar policy in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, labeling it discriminatory.
Despite this, Himachal Pradesh has announced it will follow Uttar Pradesh’s lead, citing food safety and concerns over the “migrant influx.”
Vikramaditya Singh, a Congress leader in Himachal Pradesh, defended the policy, stating, “The law applies to everyone.
Why should one community feel threatened?” However, many Muslims accuse the Congress party of using the policy to garner votes from Hindu-majority constituencies. Sharik Ali, a restaurant owner in Shimla, expressed disappointment, saying, “We’ve seen how Muslims have been attacked under Modi, but I didn’t expect this from the Congress government.
They know what wins votes.”
The policy has sparked widespread fear and concern among Muslims, who believe it is being used as a tool to marginalize and discriminate against their community.
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