Authorities begin raids to seize halal products following ban

The Food Security and Drug Administration Department of Uttar Pradesh, India, has begun raids on stores across the state following a ban on all ‘halal certified products’ that came into effect on 18 November.

According to an order issued by the department on the day before the ban came into effect, the ban applies to the production, storage, distribution and sale of all halal products, although export halal products were kept outside the purview of the ban.

The Uttar Pradesh government argues that the ban is necessary due to the widespread prevalence of animal slaughter in the name of sacred rituals and that the halal trade creates a disproportionate financial benefit for a particular community and fosters division. However, opposition leaders have questioned why the ban does not apply to export products and have suggested that the true motive is to target the state’s Muslim community which accounts for the majority of those involved in the supply chain.

On 21 November, several Hindu nationalist groups including the Bajrang Dal, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti demanded that a similar ban should be implemented in Goa.

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: ‘CSW is concerned at the banning of halal products in Uttar Pradesh which is likely to have a disproportionate effect on the Muslim community. This community already faces marginalisation and discrimination, and legislation like this will only embolden those responsible for such intolerance to go further. We call for the repeal of this ban, and urge the authorities in Uttar Pradesh and across the country to significantly increase efforts to reduce intercommunal and sectarian tensions.’

Note to Editors:

1. Halal-certified products are products that meet the requirements of Islamic law and are suitable for consumption by Muslims. In India, unlike many other countries, there is no legal authority that provides halal certification, however there are private organisations and religious groups that do so.