India Muslims Face Discrimination Over New Name Display Policy
The policy, introduced by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has now been adopted by Himachal Pradesh, governed by the opposition Congress party.
Both state governments claim the policy ensures compliance with health and safety regulations. However, locals and activists argue that the rules target Muslim workers and businesses, The Guardian reported on Sunday.
Names in India often indicate religion and caste, raising concerns among Muslim business owners about potential attacks or economic boycotts by hardline Hindu groups.
“This order is dangerous, it forces us to wear our religion on our sleeve,” said Tabish Aalam, a chef from Lucknow. “I am sure the government knows this, and that is why it is being exploited.”
Uttar Pradesh, governed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has seen a rise in anti-Muslim discrimination under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Adityanath, known for his hardline stance, has introduced several policies accused of targeting Muslims.
Business owners in Uttar Pradesh have fired Muslim staff due to the new laws, fearing they would become targets. Rafiq, a restaurant owner in Muzaffarnagar, dismissed his four Muslim employees after police demanded he display their names.
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“Displaying names makes us vulnerable and a very easy target,” he said. “If there is communal tension, we will be easily identified as Muslims and targeted.”
Calls for economic boycotts of Muslims have increased, with incidents of attacks on Muslim vendors rising over the past five years. Last month, a Bajrang Dal leader was recorded urging people to avoid Muslim shopkeepers.
Idrees Ahmed, a cook, lost his job after the policy was implemented. “I lost a job simply because of my religion,” he said. “I know so many Muslims who were working in different restaurants but were fired after the order.”
In Muzaffarnagar, some allege that only Muslim-owned businesses are being forced to comply. Mohammad Azeem, a stall owner, said he was the only one harassed by police to display his name. “The administration is deliberately trying to create a divide,” he said.
In July, India’s supreme court blocked a similar order by Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, ruling it discriminatory. Despite this, Himachal Pradesh announced it would follow Uttar Pradesh’s example, citing food hygiene and concerns over an “influx of migrants.”
Vikramaditya Singh, a Himachal Pradesh Congress leader, stated, “There will be no compromise with the internal security of the state. The law is applicable for everybody. Why should one particular community feel threatened or have apprehensions?” He added that alternative measures would be considered if concerns persisted.
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Business owners accuse the Congress party of using the policy to court the Hindu-majority vote.
Sharik Ali, a restaurant owner in Shimla, said, “I will not feel safe after displaying my name on my stall. We have seen how Muslims across India have been attacked in the last 10 years of Modi’s rule, but I was not expecting this from the Congress government. They know what will fetch them votes.”
Source: Agencies
