In an effort to facilitate the smooth and orderly conduct of the Kanwar Yatra, the Muzaffarnagar district administration has implemented a new rule on July 17, 2024. Under this regulation, eateries and food carts catering to Kanwariyas must prominently display their owners’ names. This measure aims to prevent any confusion among pilgrims and mitigate potential allegations that could disrupt public order.
In Muzaffarnagar district, the local administration has mandated that all hotels, dhabas, and food carts display the names of their proprietors and operators. This directive aims to prevent any confusion among Kanwariyas and avoid potential confrontations.
Addressing the media, SSP Abhishek Singh explained the administration’s decision. He stated that eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route are required to display the names of their proprietors and operators to prevent misunderstandings and avoid incidents.
SSP Singh emphasised that this measure was voluntary and many eateries had already complied.
In accordance with the administration’s orders, many food cart sellers and eateries in the region have begun displaying names on banners or paper boards. Police personnel from stations such as Nai Mandi, Chhapar, Purkaji, Mansoorpur, and Khatauli have been tasked with enforcing the order. In the city area, numerous eateries near Meenakshi Chowk have already put up posters with their names.
However, the Muzaffarnagar administration’s decision has sparked controversy on social media, drawing criticism from various quarters, including Asaduddin Owaisi and other Islamist leaders, who argue against the regulation. They contend that the rule is aimed at dissuading Kanwariyas from patronising Muslim-owned establishments.
Notably, in Uttar Pradesh, the Food Safety and Standards Act, of 2006 mandates that every restaurant and dhaba operator must display the name of their establishment, their own name, and their license number. Additionally, under the “Jago Grahak Jago” initiative, it is compulsory to prominently display the price list on an information board.
Also, food vendors must prominently display their names and addresses at their establishments. G.C. Kandpal, Deputy Commissioner of the Food Safety and Drug Administration in Uttarakhand, stated that this measure is implemented for the convenience of customers.
In this report, we compiled at least 15 such establishments in Uttar Pradesh that have Hindu names while being owned by Muslims. These instances highlight concerns about business practices involving the deceptive use of religious identities to attract specific clientele or create religious ambiguity.
The issue of conducting business under an obscured religious identity has rekindled political debates in Uttar Pradesh, especially in the lead-up to the Kanwar Yatra. A scrutiny of these claims revealed similar cases along the Bijnor to Saharanpur highway.
Case 1: Vishnu Dhaba in Saharanpur
On July 8, a report from Saharanpur highlighted a case where an eatery named “Vishnu Dhaba” is owned by Mohammad Anas Siddique. He has operated this dhaba for the past 15 years. The misleading name has led patrons to unknowingly consume food and beverages assuming it to be Hindu-owned.
Case 2: Shri Ram Dhaba on Agra Mathura Road
On July 10, a video surfaced on social media from Agra Mathura Road, revealing that the “Shri Ram Dhaba” is actually owned by Mohammad Imran. The video alleged that several Muslim-owned shops use Hindu deity names to attract Kanwariyas, prompting the administration to mandate displaying real owner names.
Case 3: Chaudhary Sweets in Bareilly
Also on July 8, it came to light in Bareilly that a shop named “Chaudhary Sweets” has been operated for years by Ahmed. The shop’s Hindu name misled customers into believing it was Hindu-owned, aiming to attract Hindu clientele for sweet purchases.
Case 4: Bihar Incident
On July 12, a viral video from Bihar exposed Ujiyar Alam, a Muslim youth running a shop under a Hindu name. The video also revealed Hindu girls employed at his shop, leading to demands for strict action from the administration after identities were exposed.
Case 5: Nagnath Dhaba Number-1 on Haridwar Road
On July 21, attention focused on “Nagnath Dhaba Number-1” on Haridwar Road, owned by Waseem, a Muslim businessman. Operating under this name for a decade, the property originally belonged to Nasim Ahmad from Bagh area. Previously managed by Veerpal, Waseem sold it to Pushpraj Singh (Sonu) two years ago due to financial constraints.
Case 6: Om Sai Dhaba on NH-58 in Muzaffarnagar
On July 22, NH-58 in Muzaffarnagar saw the bustling “Om Sai Dhaba,” which gained popularity during the 2023 Kanwar Yatra for its delightful offerings. Located near the highway, it became a favoured stop for travellers seeking refreshments.
Case 7: Identity Disguise in Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar
Near the thirty-two steps of Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar, on May 9, 2023, a man was apprehended for using a Hindu name as a disguise for his true identity. He had altered his appearance to match the name on his identification card, leading to suspicions of fraudulent activities.
Case 8: Identity Fraud at Lal-Haridwar Punjabi Dhaba, Khatauli, Uttar Pradesh
A report published on May 2 from Khatauli, Uttar Pradesh, revealed an identity fraud case at Lal-Haridwar Punjabi Dhaba near Muzaffarnagar railway station. The use of a QR code exposed the true identity of an individual posing under a false name, much to the surprise of customers.
Case 9: Protest against ‘Ram Meera Dhaba’ in Delhi
On April 23, 2024, a news report from Delhi highlighted a protest by Bajrang Dal members against ‘Ram Meera Dhaba’ when a customer tried to book a table online. The protest resulted in demands for the shop to change its name, reflecting community sentiments and religious sensitivities.
Case 10: Alleged Discrimination at Rajmidir Ghat Restaurant, Uttar Pradesh
Also reported on April 23 from Uttar Pradesh, a video surfaced showing a customer named Asma allegedly denied service at Rajmidir Ghat restaurant due to her Muslim identity. She was reportedly told, “We prefer to serve Hindus here. This is our policy,” sparking controversy and debate over religious discrimination in public establishments.
Case 11: Taj Mahal Hotel Identity Change in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
In June 2022, a report from Mathura highlighted Jamil Ahmad, a local journalist and owner of a hotel named Taj Mahal, which has operated since 1974. Facing challenges and a climate of fear, Jamil changed the hotel’s name to ‘Royal Family Restaurant’ in December 2021. He also replaced eight Muslim employees with non-Muslims to avoid potential issues, emphasising the hotel’s role as a family income source.
Case 12: Sai Juce Centre Controversy in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh
In 2021, Sai Juce Centre in Moradabad district faced closure after protests revealed its Muslim owner, Shabbu Khan, using a Hindu shop name. The incident led to a police complaint against a Bajrang Dal activist, Navneet Sharma, highlighting tensions over religious identities and business practices.
Case 13: Controversy over Shop Name in Khachrod, Dhar, Madhya Pradesh
Reported in April 2022 from Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, a Muslim youth operated a shop under a Hindu deity’s name in Khachrod. Local residents objected upon discovery and pressured the youth to remove the name “Sanwariya” from the shop’s signage, leading to viral videos and ongoing investigations by Dhar’s SP Aditya Pratap Singh.
Case 14: Removal of ‘Shreenath Dosa Bhandar’ Banners in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
In 2021, a viral video from Mathura district showed banners and posters of ‘Shreenath Dosa Bhandar’ being forcibly removed from a roadside cart operated by Muslim shopkeeper Irfan. Locals questioned why he used a Hindu name, prompting the removal of posters and warnings against future use, amid calls for transparency in business identities.
Case 15: Alleged Payment Method Change in Gujarat
A circulated picture allegedly from Gujarat indicated that eateries and shops ceased accepting online payments due to concerns about customer anonymity. Users speculated this was linked to the display of shop owners’ names on applications like PhonePe, GooglePay, BharatPe, and Paytm, reflecting broader issues of transparency and identity in commercial transactions.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s recent regulation requiring eateries and food carts catering to Kanwariyas to prominently display their owners’ names aims to ensure transparency and prevent confusion among pilgrims during the Kanwar Yatra.
The compilation of cases highlights numerous instances across Uttar Pradesh where businesses, despite having Hindu names, are owned by Muslims. These cases underscore concerns about deceptive business practices, where the use of Hindu names may be intended to attract specific clientele or avoid potential religious biases.
