Gujarat govt’s crackdown on hotels misusing Hindu names to hide Muslim ownership; 27 lose GSRTC contracts

The Gujarat government has cancelled the licenses of 27 hotels across the state, revealing a disturbing pattern of establishments using Hindu names while being owned and managed by Muslims. This crackdown by the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) ensures that buses operated by the state transport authority will no longer stop at these hotels, leaving the affected establishments without lucrative contracts they once enjoyed.

The controversy began when it was discovered that certain hotels had been operating under Hindu names, often inspired by Hindu deities or sacred terms, while their actual owners were Muslim. This practice was not only misleading but also created a false sense of security among customers who believed they were supporting Hindu-run businesses. The public, particularly travelers using state transport buses, began to raise concerns on social media about the growing prevalence of this strategy, demanding government intervention.

The affected hotels span across key regions of Gujarat, including well-known divisions such as Vadodara, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Bhuj, and Surat. Among the 27 establishments whose contracts with GSRTC have been revoked are well-established hotels like Hotel Shivshakti on the Bhuj-Dhragandhra-Ahmedabad route, Hotel Tulsi on the Surat-Ahmedabad route, and Hotel Maruti on the Surat-Ahmedabad-Bharuch route. All these hotels, despite adopting Hindu names, were found to be owned by Muslim families, prompting widespread public backlash.

For instance, Hotel Shivshakti, which enjoyed patronage from travelers due to its name referencing a prominent Hindu deity, was revealed to have Muslim owners. Similarly, Hotel Tulsi, named after a sacred Hindu plant, used the name of a Hindu figure to secure a favorable image, even though the hotel was run by a Muslim family. This deliberate attempt to mislead customers into thinking they were supporting Hindu-run businesses was flagged by concerned citizens who voiced their grievances online.

The controversy intensified as more hotels with similar naming practices were identified, leading to calls for immediate action. Journalists and social media influencers, notably journalist Nirnay Kapoor, shared a list of affected hotels, bringing attention to the widespread nature of the issue. The backlash against these businesses grew, and citizens, frustrated by the deception, demanded a thorough investigation. In response, the GSRTC swiftly launched an inquiry into the matter.