Controversy Over Police Directive to Identify Workers During Hindu Holy Month

Police in northern India have instructed restaurant owners to display the names of their workers during a Hindu holy month, a move sparking fears of targeting Muslims and fostering a communal divide.

This directive caters to hundreds of thousands of Lord Shiva devotees who undertake a pilgrimage and follow strict dietary rules, such as abstaining from meat. Police officials in Muzaffarnagar, U.P., claim it's a routine request to prevent dietary violations.

Opposition leaders criticize the directive as a ploy to deepen communal rifts and promote economic boycotts against Muslims. The region has a history of communal violence, adding to the sensitivity of the issue.

(With inputs from agencies.)