The councillor’s directive has raised concerns about religious discrimination, with critics arguing that it risks creating unnecessary communal tension
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor from Vinod Nagar in East Delhi, has again sparked controversy by asking local shop owners to rename their stores in a way that reflects their religious affiliation. The move has drawn strong reactions from various political parties, business owners, and community members who view it as an attempt to divide communities along religious lines.
The councillor’s directive has raised concerns about religious discrimination, with critics arguing that it risks creating unnecessary communal tension.
The BJP councillor, Ravinder Singh Negi reportedly addressed local shopkeepers in Vinod Nagar, suggesting that their shops should bear names that represent their respective religions. While some reports suggest the councillor framed this as a “request,” shopkeepers claim they felt pressured to comply. According to sources, the councillor suggested that shop names should more visibly reflect the religion of their owners to distinguish Hindu and Muslim-owned businesses.
The BJP leader “investigated” a Muslim juice storekeeper, a grocery store retailer, and several others asking them to showcase names and “reveal” their religious identity to the Hindu population, as a video on social media shows.
Councillor Negi also checked Paytm details and QR codes during his “confirmation raid”.
The directive has led to widespread criticism from opposition leaders and community organisations. They argue that such a measure could encourage divisive communal sentiment, disrupting the social harmony in Vinod Nagar and potentially setting a precedent for similar practices elsewhere.
Local business owners have voiced concerns that renaming shops based on religion may impact customer choices, potentially affecting their revenue. Some fear that labelling businesses based on religion could lead to boycotts or targeting, hurting their livelihood.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, criticised the councillor’s directive, calling it an attempt to polarise communities. Leaders from these parties accused the BJP of promoting divisive agendas and demanded action against the councillor.
The BJP’s Delhi unit has not issued an official statement on the matter, and it remains unclear whether the directive reflects a broader party position or the individual views of the councillor.
Some BJP spokespersons, according to media reports, have downplayed the incident, describing it as a “misunderstanding” or a “personal suggestion” that does not constitute an official policy. However, the absence of a clear repudiation from the party leadership has led to public speculation about the BJP’s stance on the matter.
Earlier this month, a video showed Negi issuing threats to Muslim shopkeepers. In the video, Negi was seen demanding that Muslim shopkeepers display their “real Muslim names” on their shops, warning them of severe consequences, including closure and sealing of their businesses, if they fail to comply.
The video showed Negi confronting shopkeeper Altamas, who runs a dairy under the name “Tomar.” Negi, with clear communal overtones, ordered him to include his Muslim name on the shop’s signage.
“If you are a Muslim, why have you written Tomar?” Negi was heard saying in the video. “Your name is Altamas, a Muslim name. You need to get it written tomorrow so people know your identity. If you are working in a Hindu colony, at least write a Muslim name. If you don’t, the shop will be closed and sealed.” The brazen tone and threatening language used by Negi left many questioning the growing atmosphere of intolerance and communal intimidation in the city.
