- Hindutva-led government enforces an immediate ban on halal food in UP, claiming exploitation of religious sentiments and financial benefits.
- Accusations against organisations for issuing inauthentic halal certificates have been made; entities deny allegations and stress the voluntary nature of certification services.
The provincial government, led by staunch Hindutva ideologues of the extreme right, has declared a sweeping ban effective immediately following its announcement on November 19. This decision transpired subsequent to a deliberation between Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and high-ranking officials, mere hours after an official spokesperson asserted that the halal label was being exploited for disseminating “propaganda” and manipulating “religious sentiment.”
Further rationalizing this measure, authorities contend that certain “anti-national elements” are exploiting halal certification for “unfair financial benefits,” asserting that it is wielded as a tool for the “Islamification of the nation.” Additionally, authorities maintain that halal certification is neither requisite nor acknowledged by government regulations pertaining to food, drugs, and cosmetics.
Accusing select organizations of exploiting religious sentiments by issuing inauthentic halal certificates for sales, a police report was filed in Lucknow Commissionerate on November 17. Specifically, Halal India Private Limited Chennai, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust Delhi, Halal Council of India Mumbai, Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra, and others are accused of manipulating religious sentiments to bolster sales for customers of a specific faith.
Denying the allegations, the accused entities highlight the voluntary nature of their halal certification services. “Those who do not wish to use such products are free not to use them,” remarked Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust, a prominent organization providing certification services in accordance with government standards and regulations.
In India, halal certificates are issued by Halal Certification Bodies (HCBs). Some widely recognized HCBs in India include Halal India Private Limited, Halal Certification Services India Private Limited, Jamiat Ulama-E-Maharashtra – a state unit of Jamiat Ulama-E-Hind, and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust.
However, the Uttar Pradesh government asserts that any mention of “halal certification” on product labels constitutes falsification, punishable by law. As part of its stringent measures, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) conducted a raid on Sahara Mall in Uttar Pradesh, inspecting items such as cold drinks, meat, and dry fruits.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a Hindu monk, known for his history of making highly Islamophobic statements, has further escalated tensions with provocative rhetoric. In an undated video from August 2014, Adityanath, addressing religious conversions resulting from inter-religious marriages, made incendiary remarks, stating, “If they take one Hindu girl, we will take 100 Muslim girls.” In the same video, he continued, “If they kill one Hindu, there will be 100 that we,” pausing as the crowd shouted, “kill.” In February 2015, Adityanath commented, “If given a chance, we will install statues of Goddess Gauri, Ganesh, and Nandi in every mosque.” In 2020, during peaceful protests by Muslim women, he remarked, “If they won’t understand words, they’ll understand bullets.”
