Muslim businesses in UP fear backlash over new name display rule

Muslim business owners in India are expressing concerns about discrimination and safety following the implementation of a controversial policy requiring eateries to publicly display the names of all their employees.

This directive, first introduced by Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, has raised fears of targeted attacks and economic boycotts against Muslim workers and establishments.

In September, the state of Himachal Pradesh, governed by the opposition Congress party, announced it would adopt similar regulations. Both state governments argue that the measures aim to enhance compliance with health and safety regulations. However, critics claim that the new rules disproportionately target Muslim workers and establishments.

Names in India often signify religion and caste, leading to fears among Muslim business owners in Uttar Pradesh that the policy will invite hostility, particularly from hardline Hindu groups.

Under the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, incidents of anti-Muslim discrimination have reportedly increased. Since taking office in 2017, Adityanath has enacted various policies perceived as enabling hostility towards Muslims.

Business owners in Uttar Pradesh have stated that they have had to fire Muslim staff due to fears for their safety. Calls for economic boycotts against Muslims have gained traction in Uttar Pradesh, with increasing incidents of harassment reported.

Multiple incidents recently surfaced, suggesting vendors had contaminated food and drink items with spit and urine, resulting in arrests across the state. Despite allegations from rightwing Hindu groups claiming a Muslim conspiracy of “spit jihad,” there remains no evidence to indicate that these acts were specifically aimed at Hindus.

Last month, a leader of the rightwing Hindu group Bajrang Dal was recorded encouraging members to avoid purchasing from Muslim shopkeepers.

The Supreme Court of India previously blocked a separate directive from the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments mandating that eateries along a pilgrimage route display owner names, citing concerns about discrimination.

Despite ongoing controversy, Himachal Pradesh has signaled its intent to follow Uttar Pradesh's lead, citing hygiene and security as primary reasons for the decision.

Yogi Adityanath's government has faced criticism for its stringent measures in the past, but supporters argue that these policies are crucial for maintaining public health and safety in the state's thriving food industry.