India: Targeting of Muslims alleged in row over naming restaurant by religion

Anger over Indian police orders to display business owners’ names during a Hindu festival in BJP-governed Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand states. Critics said the move was intended to stop the Hindu pilgrims from visiting eateries owned by Muslims.

For nearly two weeks now, Islah*, a Muslim, has been forced to close his restaurant situated along a highway in Khatauli town of Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district in northern India.

The venue, which seats about 100 people at a time and serves vegetarian food to people of all religions, is under pressure to display the names of its owner and staff members following a controversial order issued by the district administration earlier this month.