Mumbai-Born Restaurant Owner In US Says They Don't Hire Indians, Internet Asks 'Is It Inclusive If You Are...'

A Mumbai-born woman running an Indian restaurant in Texas has found herself at the centre of an online controversy after saying, “I don’t hire Indians at my Indian restaurant.” The remark stunned many social media users, with some questioning the inclusivity of the policy while others praised her focus on local hiring.

At a time when Indians around the world continue to face criticism, stereotypes and occasional discrimination on issues ranging from immigration to public conduct, many might expect members of the community to rally behind one another. However, Rashmi Bhat, the owner of 7 Monk’s Cafe in New Braunfels, Texas, has sparked debate with her hiring stance.

“I don’t hire Indians at my Indian restaurant. That usually surprises people, because

when most people walk into an Indian restaurant, they assume everyone working there has to be Indian. But that’s never how we’ve hired,” she said.

She explained that she and her mother are focused on hiring people based on their attitude, reliability and willingness to learn. “When my mom and I opened Seven Monks Cafe, we didn’t set out to build an Indian team.

We set out to build a great team, regardless of their skin colour. So, we’ve hired high school students, college students, single moms, retirees, people looking for a second chance,” Bhat added.

In the caption of the post, she said, “DISCLAIMER: We hire anyone who is qualified, INCLUDING Indians. I’ve seen too many restaurants discriminate against certain ethnic backgrounds because they don’t ‘match’, but I’m changing that.”

Internet Is Divided Over Her Reason For Not Hiring Indians

Her comments quickly grabbed the attention of other social media users and drew mixed reactions. Some criticised her decision, while others supported her approach.

“Your hiring policies are impressive, but we come to eat authentic food – no Indian cook, I’m not eating there,” said one user.

“How is it inclusive if you are excluding one race knowingly?” asked a person.

Another user remarked, “Your hiring policies are discriminatory and probably against the law.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rashmi Bhat (@toastyindian)

“The food won’t have the authentic taste … I went to an Indian restaurant where the staff was Hispanic, they didn’t understand any of the items from the menu … when I asked them for chat, they offered me chai,” someone else shared.

Another individual said, “Yes, you may be aiming to set out a great team, but setting aside Indians while hiring, you are failing to meet the core labour standards as you are blatantly discriminating against a particular race. If the labour department knocks at your door, you may be penalised. Watch out.”