Religious attack fears as Indian eateries told to show staff names

Muslims in India say they have been fired from their jobs and face the closure of their businesses after two states brought in a "discriminatory" policy making it mandatory for restaurants to publicly display the names of all their employees.

- Hannah Ellis-Petersen Aakash Hassan Delhi

The policy was first introduced by Yogi Adityanath, a hardline Hindu monk who is the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Last month, the state of Himachal Pradesh, governed by the opposition Congress party, announced it would also make it compulsory for all names of workers and employees to be put on display.

Both state governments have said it is to ensure compliance with health and safety rules and vending regulations. However, local people and activists have alleged that the rules are a thinly veiled attack on Muslim workers and establishments.

Names in India widely signify religion and caste and there are growing fears among Muslim business owners in Uttar Pradesh that this will allow them to become victims of targeted attacks or economic boycotts, particularly by hardline Hindu groups that are active in the state.

"This order is dangerous, it forces us to wear our religion on our sleeve," said Tabish Aalam, 28, who comes from a long line of specialist chefs in the city of Lucknow. "I am sure the government knows this, and that is why it is being exploited."