Gujarat Targets Muslim-owned Hotels with Hindu Names: 27 Licenses Cancelled

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Muslim business owners and community leaders decry the government’s discriminatory actions

Team Clarion

NEW DELHI – The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) has taken the controversial step of cancelling the licenses of 27 hotels owned by Muslims but registered under Hindu names, further intensifying concerns of religious bias and discrimination in the state. Muslim entrepreneurs across Gujarat are now left grappling with the repercussions of this action, which they see as an unfair attack on their livelihoods, religious identity, and business operations.

The decision follows an investigation by GSRTC, sparked by complaints alleging that some private hotels were using Hindu names to attract a larger Hindu clientele while being Muslim-run establishments. In a move that has drawn widespread condemnation, GSRTC revoked the permission for buses to stop at these hotels. Now, 27 hotels in various districts — Vadodara, Rajkot, Palanpur, Godhra, Nadiad, Ahmedabad, and Bharuch — will no longer be frequented by state buses.

This decision is being seen by many within the Muslim community as a deeply troubling form of religious profiling, aimed at marginalising Muslim businesses and undermining their right to thrive in a competitive marketplace. The reaction has been swift and critical, with many questioning whether this is a targeted effort to create divisions between the Hindu and Muslim communities.

“This is yet another step in the ongoing discrimination against Muslims in Gujarat. We have always followed the rules and regulations, but now, simply because we are Muslims, our businesses are being targeted,” said Muhammad Aslam, a hotel owner from Vadodara. “We have worked hard to establish our businesses and have been contributing to the state’s economy. This action is an attack on our existence.”

Local Muslim leaders have also voiced strong opposition to the move, calling it part of a broader political agenda to undermine the Muslim community’s position in Gujarat. “This is nothing more than an attempt to alienate and intimidate Muslim entrepreneurs,” said Zafar Alam, a prominent community leader. “Forcing businesses to operate under specific religious identities, or penalising them for doing so, will only serve to drive a deeper wedge between communities. This kind of religious profiling is harmful not only to businesses but also to the fabric of our society.”

The state government’s defence of this action as a response to public complaints about misleading business practices has been widely rejected by many, who argue that it is a thinly veiled excuse for an attack on Muslim-run establishments. Critics claim that the government is using the guise of regulation to justify policies that disproportionately target Muslims and reinforce religious stereotypes.

“This action doesn’t just harm businesses; it harms the very principles of equality and fairness that should underpin any democratic society. We are being penalised for being Muslim, and that is something no community should have to face in a country that prides itself on its pluralism,” said Asim Qureshi, a member of the Gujarat Muslim Business Association.

The cancellation of the licenses is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling trend of policies that critics argue discriminate against Muslims in Gujarat. In Uttar Pradesh, a similar campaign targeted Muslim hotel owners with demands that they display their names on the signboards. Now, Gujarat seems to be following suit, with many fearing that this could be just the beginning of a larger effort to push Muslim businesses out of the public eye.

Reactions from the broader Muslim community have also highlighted the emotional and social toll of such measures. “It’s painful to see our community being treated like this,” said Zahida Khan, a resident of Godhra. “It’s as if we have to hide who we are to survive in this society. This is not just about business; it’s about our dignity, our right to exist peacefully.”

The repercussions of this decision extend beyond the immediate economic impact, raising questions about the future of Muslim entrepreneurs in Gujarat. With their businesses now excluded from the flow of GSRTC buses, many are concerned about their ability to remain competitive. “We’ve already been facing tough times due to the ongoing political climate,” said another affected hotel owner. “This will only make it harder for us to survive.”

The Muslim community in Gujarat continues to stand united against what they see as a deliberate attempt to push them to the margins of society. As the state government enforces such policies, many are left wondering whether this will become a recurring pattern, or if it will eventually spark a larger movement for justice and equality.

In the face of growing religious tensions, it is clear that the impact of these discriminatory actions will be felt far beyond the business world, as they continue to stoke fears of deeper divides between Gujarat’s religious communities. The question remains: how many more policies like this will the Muslim community have to endure before they are treated with the same respect and dignity afforded to others?

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