In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has banned halal certification. He stated that not only were people being misled in the name of halal certification, but it was also being used for widespread economic exploitation and illegal funding.
Lucknow: A political storm has erupted in Uttar Pradesh over halal certification. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently took strict action on halal certification, banning it across the entire state. His decision has sparked controversy and debate among the opposition and some religious organizations. CM Yogi asserts that people were being misled in the name of halal certification, and it was also being used for widespread economic exploitation and illegal funding.
He claimed that investigations revealed an annual transaction of approximately INR 25,000 crore was taking place through halal certification, despite it having no recognition from any government agency.
Opposition's Reaction
Opposition parties have questioned the Yogi government's decision. Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput asked why halal certification hasn't been banned nationwide if it is indeed wrong. SP leader Sunil Sajan accused the government of trying to divide society in the name of religion. Meanwhile, VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal supported the government's decision, stating that anti-national activities were being promoted in the name of halal.
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi acknowledged that halal certification holds no special status in Sharia, while Maulana Sajid Rashidi called Yogi's statement anti-constitutional. Thus, halal certification is no longer just a matter of religious or food certification but has become a subject of discussion in political and security contexts as well.
What is Halal Certification?
The word 'halal' is Arabic and means permissible or lawful. It is commonly used for food and drink products. Halal certification ensures that a product does not contain ingredients considered 'haram' (forbidden) in Islam. This certificate is issued not only for non-vegetarian but also for vegetarian products.
In India, halal certificates are not issued by government agencies. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) only sets food safety standards but does not provide halal certification. In the country, some private organizations, such as:
- Halal India Private Limited
- Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Halal Trust
issue these certificates. Companies apply to these organizations to get their products halal-certified, and after inspection of the product, the certificate is issued. However, this process has also faced controversy. It is alleged that many companies obtain certificates by paying money without proper inspection, thereby misleading consumers.
CM Yogi stated that an individual named Chhangur, involved in religious conversion and funding in Balrampur, utilized funds received from abroad, as well as money from halal certification, for unethical activities. He added that even soap, clothes, and matchboxes were being labeled as halal-certified, which was misleading consumers.
