‘Halal’ sign at Indian eatery triggers online bashing of Muslim owner
Muslim restaurant owner faces online targeting over ‘Halal’ sign, reflecting growing scrutiny of Islamic practices in India
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A restaurant in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state has become the focus of controversy after displaying the word “Halal” on its signboard, reigniting concerns over the growing scrutiny of Muslim businesses and religious practices in public life.
According to Clarion India, an independent digital news outlet, the issue surfaced in Jaunpur district when a video circulated on social media highlighting the word “Halal” written on the signboard of Bombay Restaurant in the Shahganj area.
The video quickly drew hostile reactions from right-wing social media users, triggering calls for official action despite the absence of any apparent legal violation.
The restaurant’s owner, Faizan Ahmed, said the signboard was installed after the previous one was damaged and that the inclusion of “Halal” was intended only to inform customers about food preparation practices. He said the reaction left him shaken, adding that his business operates with valid permissions and follows all food safety rules.
Local residents said the signboard had been displayed for days without objection and that the situation escalated only after the video gained traction online. Shopkeepers in the area told local media that no complaint had been raised locally before the issue was amplified on social platforms.
The controversy has emerged against the backdrop of heightened attention on halal practices in Uttar Pradesh following a November 2023 government order restricting the sale of halal-certified packaged food products within the state.
The order applies to certification of processed goods such as dairy items, bakery products, edible oils, and snacks under India’s food safety law, while allowing halal certification for export purposes.
Legal experts have stressed that the Jaunpur case does not fall under those restrictions. Allahabad High Court lawyer Gyan Ranjan said there is no legal bar on displaying the word “Halal” on a restaurant signboard, noting that the regulation concerns certification of packaged foods, not signage or religious dietary practices. He added that such expression is protected under India’s constitutional guarantees.
State food safety officials said they have taken note of the viral content and asked local inspectors to verify the facts, stressing that any response would be based on findings on the ground rather than online allegations.
Civil rights groups say the incident reflects a broader pattern in which halal — a dietary standard observed by Muslims worldwide — is increasingly politicized in parts of India, placing minority-owned businesses under pressure and blurring the line between regulatory enforcement and religious profiling.
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