Court Suspends Name Display Orders in UP, Uttarakhand

India's Supreme Court has suspended orders requiring restaurants and roadside carts in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to display the names of their owners, a directive seen as potentially discriminatory against Muslims. The police orders, issued in states governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP, aimed to help Hindu pilgrims adhere to dietary restrictions during the holy month of Shravan. Critics argued the move could deepen communal divides and hurt businesses owned by Muslims, who fear losing customers. The court ruled that while eateries can indicate the type of food served, they should not be compelled to reveal owner identities. The matter will be revisited by the court on Friday. Business owners and workers have reported economic distress due to the directive, fearing a loss of income as a result of religious biases.