UP has banned Halal certification of products

SARASIJ MAJUMDER

The Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh has banned the production, storage, distribution and sale of food products with halal certification with immediate effect while exempting  products manufactured for export only.

In a statement, the state government alleged “malicious attempts” to discourage the use of products lacking a halal certificate not only seek “unfair financial benefits” but also form part of a “pre-planned strategy to sow class hatred, create divisions in society, and weaken the country” by “anti-national elements”.

Strict legal measures will be taken against any individual or firm engaged in the production, storage, distribution, buying, and selling of halal-certified medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics within Uttar Pradesh, said the statement issued on 18/11/23.

“Unrestrained propaganda is being disseminated within a particular section of society to discourage the use of products lacking a halal certificate,” the statement said. This harms the business interests of other communities, it added.

This is a malicious attempt to divide the state in religious line.

Halal is an Arabic term which means 'permissible or lawful'. Halal is related to Islam and its dietary laws and is specifically related to meat processed and prepared as per the requirements of the laws. 

Halal-certified products are the ones which are supposed to have met the requirements of Islamic law and are believed to be suitable for the consumption of Muslims. However-HALAL certificates are not available in USA, and European countries. And other that MEAT products, this certificate is not required for consumption by MUSLIMS.

Exports seem to have been exempted from the ban because several nations, especially those in the Middle East, insist on halal certification.

On one hand, several Muslim groups have been strongly endorsing that people from the community should only consume halal-certified products – even  medicines.

On the other hand, several Hindu groups have been strongly boycotting halal-certified products.

While a certain section of them have been asking Hindus to not consume halal certified products, another section have been asking for doing away with the certification process.

What issues have risen with halal certification?

•  The cost of the products which are halal certified increases as the certification process is not free of cost. Also, to get a halal certification, several modifications need to be made in the manufacturing process. 
•  In several sectors, employment opportunities to non-Muslims are unavailable-- e.g.--Halal Slaughterhouse. 
•  Halal certification is a discriminatory process towards the non-Muslims, especially in the halal meat industry.
•  There's no standard halal certification process to date. This means halal-certified products from one country may not be recognized in the other country. For Example, halal certification of India is invalid in UAE. 

In my opinion, GOI shall bring a law to ban HALAL certification for distribution and consumption in INDIA. Otherwise, opposition ruled states will try to create problem.

SOURCE: NEWSPAPER.