The Moradabad police have called a meeting of city-based band operators and advised Muslim owners to avoid using names linked to Hindu deities or Hindu surnames, urging them instead to rename their businesses to reflect their own identities, reported TOI.
Moradabad is home to over 500 large and small wedding bands, with at least 20 of the most prominent ones owned by members of the Muslim community. The issue surfaced after a local advocate, Shavi Singh, lodged a complaint on the Chief Minister’s portal on July 9. In his submission, Singh argued that Muslim-run bands carrying names such as Sharma or Agrawal were offensive to religious sentiments.
Responding to the complaint, SP (City) Kumar Ranvijay Singh said the police had received instructions to address the matter.
"We received a direction regarding this after the complaint was filed on the CM portal, and summoned the band owners. However, we're not authorised to order renaming of these bands, and so made both parties sit together and arrive at a consensus. In the meeting, Muslim band owners have agreed to comply with the directions and rename their businesses. They, however, said they have pending bookings, and new bookings will be made under new names," he explained to TOI.
Advocate Singh stood by his position, telling TOI that his concerns were not about religion but about disclosure.
"These band owners are Muslims, and they have named their business either after a Hindu deity or with Hindu surnames—Sharma or Agrawal. I don't have any problem with their faith, but my concern is that they should reveal their identities and do business," Singh further said.
"When UP govt asked Muslim eatery owners to reveal their names so that consumers are aware of where they are eating, band owners should also do the same," he added.
Fear of losing business
While band owners present at the meeting agreed to rename their businesses, several voiced quiet concerns that the move could severely damage their livelihood.
One owner, speaking anonymously to TOI, said, "About 70% of our business is generated from Hindu weddings. In the current scenario, being Muslims, no one will hire us if the wedge of hatred is driven deep into the realm of music and entertainment."
The episode comes against the backdrop of similar controversies in recent months. During the kanwar yatra, tensions rose when some eateries run by Muslims used Hindu names, leading to protests. In Muzaffarnagar, right-wing activists went so far as to strip one restaurant operator to confirm his identity, noted the TOI report.
For Moradabad’s band community, the latest directive has now stirred uncertainty, forcing many to weigh compliance with the risk of losing a major share of their business.
Moradabad is home to over 500 large and small wedding bands, with at least 20 of the most prominent ones owned by members of the Muslim community. The issue surfaced after a local advocate, Shavi Singh, lodged a complaint on the Chief Minister’s portal on July 9. In his submission, Singh argued that Muslim-run bands carrying names such as Sharma or Agrawal were offensive to religious sentiments.
Responding to the complaint, SP (City) Kumar Ranvijay Singh said the police had received instructions to address the matter.
"We received a direction regarding this after the complaint was filed on the CM portal, and summoned the band owners. However, we're not authorised to order renaming of these bands, and so made both parties sit together and arrive at a consensus. In the meeting, Muslim band owners have agreed to comply with the directions and rename their businesses. They, however, said they have pending bookings, and new bookings will be made under new names," he explained to TOI.
Advocate Singh stood by his position, telling TOI that his concerns were not about religion but about disclosure.
"These band owners are Muslims, and they have named their business either after a Hindu deity or with Hindu surnames—Sharma or Agrawal. I don't have any problem with their faith, but my concern is that they should reveal their identities and do business," Singh further said.
"When UP govt asked Muslim eatery owners to reveal their names so that consumers are aware of where they are eating, band owners should also do the same," he added.
Fear of losing business
While band owners present at the meeting agreed to rename their businesses, several voiced quiet concerns that the move could severely damage their livelihood.
One owner, speaking anonymously to TOI, said, "About 70% of our business is generated from Hindu weddings. In the current scenario, being Muslims, no one will hire us if the wedge of hatred is driven deep into the realm of music and entertainment."
The episode comes against the backdrop of similar controversies in recent months. During the kanwar yatra, tensions rose when some eateries run by Muslims used Hindu names, leading to protests. In Muzaffarnagar, right-wing activists went so far as to strip one restaurant operator to confirm his identity, noted the TOI report.
For Moradabad’s band community, the latest directive has now stirred uncertainty, forcing many to weigh compliance with the risk of losing a major share of their business.
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