Several Muslim hotels in Gujarat named after Hindu deities, licences taken in Hindu names

Case Summary
A total of 27 hotels owned by Muslims in the state of Gujarat have taken licenses in Hindu names. The list includes hotels in divisions like Vadodara, Rajkot, Godhra, Mehsana, Bhuj, Bharuch, Ahmedabad, Nadiad, Palanpur etc. The list of 27 hotels also includes which were named after Hindu deities. Some hotels even used Hindu names for owners even though they are owned by Muslims. For example, the list includes Hotel Shivshakti located on the Bhuj-Dhragandhra-Ahmedabad route. The hotel was named after a Hindu deity and permission was also taken in the name of a Hindu, but in reality, its owners and managers are Muslims. Hotel Tulsi, located on the Surat-Ahmedabad route, is also owned by Muslims. Similarly, the list includes Hotel Sarvodaya on the Ahmedabad-Rajkot route, Hotel Shreeji on the Ahmedabad-Balasinor-Godhra-Jhalod route, Hotel Sahyog on the Ahmedabad-Surat road, Hotel Galaxy, Hotel Ronak, Hotel Sarvodaya on the Ahmedabad-Dhragandha-Bhuj route, Hotel Satimata on the Surat-Ahmedabad road etc. Citizens had noticed that some of the hotels that won the bids and signed deals with GSRTC were using Hindu names even though they were owned by Muslims. As a result, there were demands on social media to investigate such hotels and take appropriate action. Accordingly, GSRTC took action and cancelled the permits of 27 such hotels. As a result of this decision, Transport Corporation buses will not stop at these hotels from now on.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added under two prime categories of the tracker. The first is- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Under this, the sub-category selected is- Desecration of Hindu religious symbol. Icons and symbols or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal are widely revered in Hinduism. Iconography is of vital significance in the Hindu milieu. It helps connect people’s spiritual beliefs with the real world. Iconography within the Hindu faith takes several shapes and forms. Murtis are of most significance to Hindus, to which daily rituals, prayers and offerings are done. Besides the murtis, there are several other symbols which have deep significance in the Hindu faith – the Om and Swastika for example. Since these Hindu religious symbols hold paramount importance in Hinduism, any desecration of symbols, icons, murtis, religious representations and manifestations, is driven by animosity towards the faith itself which manifests itself through these murtis, icons and symbols. Therefore, any desecration of these Hindu religious symbols and representations is considered religiously motivated hate crimes under this category. The second category under which this case has been placed is- Hate speech against Hindus and under this, the sub-category selected is- Anti-Hindu slurs, mocking faith. Anti-Hindu slurs and the deliberate mocking of the Hindu faith owing to religious animosity involve the usage of derogatory terms, stereotypes, or offensive references to religious practices, symbols, or figures. One of the common anti-Hindu slurs used against Hindus is “cow-worshipper” and “cow piss drinker”. The intention of using this term is to demean and mock Hindus as a group and their religious beliefs since Hindus consider the cow holy. Additionally, some symbols and the slurs attached to them have a historical context that exacerbates the insult, hate, stereotyping, dehumanisation and oppression against Hindus. Cow worship has been used for centuries to denigrate Hindus, insult their faith and oppress Hindus specifically as a religious group. There has been overwhelming documentation about how cow slaughter has been used to persecute Hindus with cow meat being thrown in temples and places of worship. There has also been overwhelming documentation where cow meat (beef) has been force-fed to Hindus to either forcefully convert them to Islam or denigrate their faith. Apart from cow worship, the Swastika – which holds deep religious significance for the Hindus – has also been misinterpreted and distorted to use as a slur against Hindus. Similarly, the worship of the Shivling has been used by supremacist ideologies and religions to denigrate Hindus owing to religious animosity. Such slurs and denigration stem out of inherent animosity and hate towards Hindus and their faith, therefore, it is categorised as hate speech targeted at Hindus specifically owing to their religious identity. This incident reflects a deliberate attempt to deceive Hindus and undermine their beliefs by using Hindu names and religious symbols for commercial gain, all while the hotels were actually owned by Muslims. By adopting names like Hotel Shivshakti, Hotel Tulsi, and others that are deeply connected to Hindu religious identity, these hotels created a false impression that they were run by Hindu owners. This act of misrepresentation not only disrespects the Hindu community but also exploits their faith for profit. Such tactics mock the sanctity of Hindu names and deities, further eroding trust and respect for religious symbols. In fact, this incident goes beyond mere deception; it represents a blatant mockery of the Hindu faith. By using Hindu names and religious symbols for businesses owned by non-Hindus, the perpetrators not only misled the public but also showed a profound disrespect for Hinduism. The act of appropriating Hindu religious identities for commercial purposes without genuine adherence to the faith is an insult to its values and traditions. Given the profound disrespect shown towards Hindus and their faith, this case is indeed a clear example of religiously motivated crime, making it appropriate for inclusion in the tracker.

Case Status
Complaint registered

Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
From 10 to 100
Perpetrators Gender
unknown