Last year, a group of women came to Shoaib Ali’s juice shop in Uttarakhand’s capital Dehradun, near the Shimla Bypass Road. After the payment, one of the woman in the group “realized” the shop had a Muslim owner.
In a subsequently uploaded video, the group”s leader, Radha Semwal Dhoni, a right-wing activist, accused the shop owner of being Muslim, which they claimed to have discovered through the digital payment process. Dhoni”s remarks included derogatory comments about Muslims, citing a baseless conspiracy theory. However, Shoaib denied any attempt to conceal his identity, stating the shop had been known as a Muslim-owned establishment for over a decade. He lamented that discrimination based on religious identity was unjustified and unwarranted.
This incident is just one among several instances where Muslim vendors face harassment and discrimination, often triggered by the revelation of their religious identity during transactions. Such biases extend beyond digital payments to various other platforms, leaving those from marginalised communities vulnerable to mistreatment.
In January 2024, Dhoni targeted another Muslim vendor, this time at Dehradun’s ISBT Haridwar road, assaulting the shopkeeper and vandalizing the premises, the Quint reported. Despite the shop being rented by a Hindu owner, Dhoni and her associates forcibly removed religious symbols and made inflammatory remarks, indicating a pattern of targeted attacks.
Similar incidents have been reported from various regions, underscoring a systemic issue that demands attention. The utilisation of QR codes in transactions has inadvertently exposed individuals” religious affiliations, making them susceptible to prejudice and violence.
Experts suggest that digital payment platforms should prioritize privacy and security, ensuring that users” personal information, including religious identity, remains confidential. Additionally, there”s a pressing need for societal awareness and education to combat discriminatory attitudes and behaviors.
Muslim delivery agents and cab drivers have also faced discrimination and violence based on their religious identity. Instances such as Rehan Fayaz”s assault while on duty highlight the pervasive nature of anti-Muslim sentiment.
Despite assurances of support from companies like Zomato and Swiggy, instances of discrimination persist, indicating the need for stricter policies and effective implementation to address such biases.
Combating discrimination against Muslims in the gig economy requires a multifaceted approach, technological safeguards, and legal protections to ensure equal treatment and dignity for all individuals, irrespective of their religious background.
