CHENNAI: A row has erupted over a T Nagar bakery publicising that it employs no Muslims to prepare food products. Legal experts have warned that this messaging amounts to a hate crime and an attempt to stigmatize a community.
In a WhatsApp post, Jain Bakeries and Confectioneries highlighted that all eatables available are "made by Jains" and "no Muslim staff" have been engaged for the purpose.
When contacted, Rakesh of Jain Bakeries and Confectioneries said the message was posted in response to an earlier message on eateries employing Muslims. "A Whatsapp message that originated from Sowcarpet urged people not to buy bakery products from shops in the area as they employed Muslims," he said.
When customers began questioning the T Nagar bakery about its staff, the bakery posted the offensive message, Rakesh said. "As we were receiving calls continuously, we decided to clarify. Our intention was only to keep our customer base intact and not to oppose any religion, as Muslims are also our customers," he told TOI.
However, senior advocate A Sirajudeen called this a deliberate attempt to ostracize a particular community. "The claim by the bakery that they did not employ Muslims to prepare food will incite people," he said.
Avoiding a minority community in social and business spheres infringed on their right to equality and affected religious harmony, he added. "The publisher of the advertisement is liable for prosecution under Sections 153 (provocation to cause riot), 153A, 505 (inciting commission of offence against another community) and 295A (insult a class of people) IPC," Sirajudeen said.
In a WhatsApp post, Jain Bakeries and Confectioneries highlighted that all eatables available are "made by Jains" and "no Muslim staff" have been engaged for the purpose.
When contacted, Rakesh of Jain Bakeries and Confectioneries said the message was posted in response to an earlier message on eateries employing Muslims. "A Whatsapp message that originated from Sowcarpet urged people not to buy bakery products from shops in the area as they employed Muslims," he said.
When customers began questioning the T Nagar bakery about its staff, the bakery posted the offensive message, Rakesh said. "As we were receiving calls continuously, we decided to clarify. Our intention was only to keep our customer base intact and not to oppose any religion, as Muslims are also our customers," he told TOI.
However, senior advocate A Sirajudeen called this a deliberate attempt to ostracize a particular community. "The claim by the bakery that they did not employ Muslims to prepare food will incite people," he said.
Avoiding a minority community in social and business spheres infringed on their right to equality and affected religious harmony, he added. "The publisher of the advertisement is liable for prosecution under Sections 153 (provocation to cause riot), 153A, 505 (inciting commission of offence against another community) and 295A (insult a class of people) IPC," Sirajudeen said.
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