The Chelia Group of Hotels, run by Chelia Muslims from Banaskantha, Gujarat, is accused of excluding Hindus from employment opportunities while strategically attracting them as customers. Despite adopting Hindu names for their hotels like Bhagyodaya, Tulsi, Banas, Dinnervale, and Arunodaya, among others, it is claimed that not a single Hindu is employed within these establishments. This alleged exclusion extends to their suppliers, as the hotels reportedly prefer dealing with Muslim vendors for various goods and services.
Centralised Purchasing and Supply Chain
The Chelia Group’s modus operandi involves centralised purchasing, where they negotiate bulk deals with companies manufacturing cold drinks, namkeen, and other products. It is asserted that the group primarily sources from Muslim suppliers, contributing to the alleged financial consolidation within the Muslim community.
The Chelia Group operates on a franchise model, facilitated by a cooperative committee registered as a minority committee in the Minority Commission. The committee reportedly has a significant number of Chelia Muslim members from across the globe who contribute financially. The process involves purchasing prime highway locations at premium prices, establishing hotels, and subsequently handing them over to Chelia Muslims to manage.
Muharram Shutdown and Financial Calculations
During the annual Muharram gathering, Chelia Muslims from around the world reportedly assemble in their villages. This period is used to calculate the profit and loss of each hotel within the franchise network. Astonishingly, approximately 90 per cent of Chelia Group hotels on the highways of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan remain closed for about 20 days during Muharram.
To attract more customers, the Chelia Group allegedly provides expensive gifts to bus drivers, encouraging them to make stops at their hotels. This practise is seen as a strategic move to bolster their customer base and revenue stream.
Centralised Purchase Depot and Agricultural Practises
The group operates a massive centralised purchase depot in Sarkhej, Ahmedabad, complete with cold storage facilities for items like potatoes and onions. It is claimed that during certain seasons, they directly purchase these items from farmers at significantly reduced prices, contributing to their substantial financial gains.
According to a report published in the “Economic Times Ahmedabad,” the Chelia Hotels’ total capital has purportedly reached around Rs 3000 crore, with a total asset value estimated at Rs 10,000 crore. The report sheds light on the controversial financial strategies employed by the group, raising concerns about their alleged impact on the economy and Hindu-Muslim relations.
The Chelia Group of Hotels’ exposed business practises highlight a controversial model that allegedly extracts money from the pockets of Hindus and redistributes it among Muslims. As accusations of discrimination and financial consolidation surface, the larger impact on regional economies and communal relations remains a subject of concern. The question arises as to whether Hindu patrons, unaware of these allegations, unwittingly contribute to a financial network that could have broader implications.
