Discriminatory Police Orders Targeting Muslim-Owned Eateries in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand
July 26th, 2024
Justice For All Canada condemns the latest dangerous escalation in the systemic targeting of Muslim minorities in India. Concerning orders from police in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand states have mandated businesses to publicly display names of owners before the Hindu festival of Shravan. This measure, ostensibly done to aid Hindu devotees in avoiding some of these outlets, fosters an environment of fear and prejudice against Muslim business owners, threatening their livelihoods and inciting communal tensions.
Muslim vendors have been explicitly targeted by police, while their Hindu counterparts were not subjected to similar demands. Reports indicate that Muslim businesses, including hotels and eateries, have been pressured to reveal the religious identities of their staff, while Hindu business owners have been encouraged to dismiss Muslim employees. This disturbing trend of enforced economic segregation, driven by unsubstantiated claims and right-wing nationalist rhetoric, aims to marginalize Muslim communities. The apparent bias within the police force, reflecting religious prejudices, is part of a broader strategy to economically and socially isolate Muslims.
"The refusal of Muslim business owners to comply is a stark example of the existential threat facing India’s minorities, something we’ve witnessed as a result of countless similar discriminatory laws,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
So far, orders have been temporarily stayed by India's Supreme Court, which affirmed that owner identities should not be coerced into public display. This decision underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of minority communities. However, we note that the Indian Supreme Court has historically been inconsistent in opposing Islamophobic policies and practices, leaving the future of these Muslim businesses uncertain.
Fuelling this dangerous narrative are hate-filled statements by Hindu nationalists. For example, Swami Yashveer made unfounded allegations against Muslim manufacturers of religious items, claiming they “contaminate products”, while political rhetoric from BJP leaders often suggests that Muslims pose a “threat” to Hindu livelihoods. Alarming remarks from BJP official Kapil Dev Aggarwal downplayed the reality of the situation by framing these actions as issues of faith rather than blatant discrimination. The intense frequency of unchecked hate speech in India will continue to promote and normalize such discrimination against Muslim communities.
This is not the first time Muslims have been singled out in this manner in India. For example, a smear campaign called #ThookJihad (meaning “spit jihad”) was launched against the sale of halal food, claiming that Muslims spit in their food to make it halal. This campaign went particularly viral during the Covid-19 pandemic, as Indian Muslims were blamed for spreading the virus. Many Muslim businesses were affected by this propaganda, and even faced boycotts. In another example, the BJP’s national general secretary CT Ravi claimed that the sale of halal meat is an “economic jihad.” Inflammatory rhetoric surrounding cow protection has also led to violence against Muslims in India, including lynchings.
The latest discriminatory orders exemplify several stages of “10 Stages of Genocide”, a common method of categorizing and analyzing genocidal situations across the globe. Stage 1: Classification, which divides society into “us” and “them,” is evident in the division fostered by these orders. Stage 2: Symbolization is represented by the enforced visual identification of Muslim-owned businesses, leading to their further dehumanization in Indian society. Stage 3: Discrimination is clear, as the law is being used to deny rights and marginalize the Muslim community both economically and socially. Finally, Stage 6: Polarization is seen in the hate-filled rhetoric and actions that drive societal divisions. Genocide Watch, an internationally recognized NGO, has issued multiple genocide alerts as well as a genocidal emergency for Muslims in India.
Justice For All Canada calls on India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government to immediately cease these discriminatory practices and ensure that all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation, are treated with dignity and respect. The government must ensure that all citizens, regardless of religion, can exercise their rights without fear of targeting or persecution.
We urge the Canadian government to hold the Indian authorities accountable for their actions against minority communities. Serious and purposeful diplomatic engagement should be considered to address and prevent such human rights violations.
Justice for All Canada remains committed to advocating for the rights and protections of religious minorities across the globe. We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community in India and will continue to monitor the situation, advocating for justice and equality.
Justice For All Canada's published a major genocide report detailing the escalating dangers and systemic discrimination facing global Muslim minorities, particularly those in India. Read the report here.
Justice For All Canada condemns the latest dangerous escalation in the systemic targeting of Muslim minorities in India. Concerning orders from police in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand states have mandated businesses to publicly display names of owners before the Hindu festival of Shravan. This measure, ostensibly done to aid Hindu devotees in avoiding some of these outlets, fosters an environment of fear and prejudice against Muslim business owners, threatening their livelihoods and inciting communal tensions.
Muslim vendors have been explicitly targeted by police, while their Hindu counterparts were not subjected to similar demands. Reports indicate that Muslim businesses, including hotels and eateries, have been pressured to reveal the religious identities of their staff, while Hindu business owners have been encouraged to dismiss Muslim employees. This disturbing trend of enforced economic segregation, driven by unsubstantiated claims and right-wing nationalist rhetoric, aims to marginalize Muslim communities. The apparent bias within the police force, reflecting religious prejudices, is part of a broader strategy to economically and socially isolate Muslims.
"The refusal of Muslim business owners to comply is a stark example of the existential threat facing India’s minorities, something we’ve witnessed as a result of countless similar discriminatory laws,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
So far, orders have been temporarily stayed by India's Supreme Court, which affirmed that owner identities should not be coerced into public display. This decision underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of minority communities. However, we note that the Indian Supreme Court has historically been inconsistent in opposing Islamophobic policies and practices, leaving the future of these Muslim businesses uncertain.
Fuelling this dangerous narrative are hate-filled statements by Hindu nationalists. For example, Swami Yashveer made unfounded allegations against Muslim manufacturers of religious items, claiming they “contaminate products”, while political rhetoric from BJP leaders often suggests that Muslims pose a “threat” to Hindu livelihoods. Alarming remarks from BJP official Kapil Dev Aggarwal downplayed the reality of the situation by framing these actions as issues of faith rather than blatant discrimination. The intense frequency of unchecked hate speech in India will continue to promote and normalize such discrimination against Muslim communities.
This is not the first time Muslims have been singled out in this manner in India. For example, a smear campaign called #ThookJihad (meaning “spit jihad”) was launched against the sale of halal food, claiming that Muslims spit in their food to make it halal. This campaign went particularly viral during the Covid-19 pandemic, as Indian Muslims were blamed for spreading the virus. Many Muslim businesses were affected by this propaganda, and even faced boycotts. In another example, the BJP’s national general secretary CT Ravi claimed that the sale of halal meat is an “economic jihad.” Inflammatory rhetoric surrounding cow protection has also led to violence against Muslims in India, including lynchings.
The latest discriminatory orders exemplify several stages of “10 Stages of Genocide”, a common method of categorizing and analyzing genocidal situations across the globe. Stage 1: Classification, which divides society into “us” and “them,” is evident in the division fostered by these orders. Stage 2: Symbolization is represented by the enforced visual identification of Muslim-owned businesses, leading to their further dehumanization in Indian society. Stage 3: Discrimination is clear, as the law is being used to deny rights and marginalize the Muslim community both economically and socially. Finally, Stage 6: Polarization is seen in the hate-filled rhetoric and actions that drive societal divisions. Genocide Watch, an internationally recognized NGO, has issued multiple genocide alerts as well as a genocidal emergency for Muslims in India.
Justice For All Canada calls on India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government to immediately cease these discriminatory practices and ensure that all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation, are treated with dignity and respect. The government must ensure that all citizens, regardless of religion, can exercise their rights without fear of targeting or persecution.
We urge the Canadian government to hold the Indian authorities accountable for their actions against minority communities. Serious and purposeful diplomatic engagement should be considered to address and prevent such human rights violations.
Justice for All Canada remains committed to advocating for the rights and protections of religious minorities across the globe. We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community in India and will continue to monitor the situation, advocating for justice and equality.
Justice For All Canada's published a major genocide report detailing the escalating dangers and systemic discrimination facing global Muslim minorities, particularly those in India. Read the report here.