The ban on halal certification, which has been imposed by the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth, is effective immediately, and it encompasses the production, storage, distribution, and sale of halal-certified edible items.
The official order cites public health concerns as the primary reason for the ban. Additionally, the government has extended the prohibition to pharmaceuticals, medical gadgets, and cosmetic items that bear halal-certified labeling, threatening legal action against violators.
Uttar Pradesh | Food Commissioner's Office issues order, "In the interest of public health, production, storing, distribution and sale of halal certified edible items banned in Uttar Pradesh with immediate effect." pic.twitter.com/G9GXLPj83n
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 18, 2023
The crackdown was triggered by a case registered by the Lucknow police against several organisations accused of exploiting religious sentiments to boost sales through the issuance of forged halal certificates. The case, filed at Hazratganj police station based on a complaint by Shailendra Kumar Sharma, a resident of Motijheel Colony in Aishbagh, alleges a large-scale conspiracy aimed at decreasing the market share of products lacking halal certification.
#WATCH | Lucknow, UP: An FIR has been registered in Hazratganj Police Station against various companies issuing Halal Certification.
Shailesh Sharma, the complainant, says, "…There are four companies in Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi that issue halal certificates… When we… pic.twitter.com/ZPBCso1MYF
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 18, 2023
The companies implicated in the case include Halal India Private Limited, Chennai; Jamiat Ullema Hind Halal Trust, New Delhi; Halal Council of India, Mumbai; and Jamiat Ullema, Mumbai. The complaint contends that these entities issued halal certificates for vegetarian products such as oil, soap, toothpaste, and honey, where such certification is unnecessary. This, according to the complainant, suggests a deliberate criminal conspiracy targeting a specific community and its products.
Sharma’s complaint raises concerns about the potential involvement of anti-social and anti-national elements benefiting from this unfair advantage. There is an apprehension that the profits generated through this scheme might be channelled towards supporting terrorist organisations and other anti-national endeavours.
The charges filed in the case include criminal conspiracy (Section 120B), promoting enmity between different groups (Section 153A), uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings (Section 298), extortion (Section 384), cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property (Section 420), forgery of valuable security, will, etc. (Section 467), forgery for the purpose of cheating (Section 468), using as genuine a forged document or electronic record (Section 471), and statements conducing to public mischief (Section 505) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
उत्तर प्रदेश में हलाल सर्टिफिकेशन पर बैन की तैयारी।
हलाल सर्टिफिकेशन देने वाली कंपनियों पर गंभीर धाराओं में मुकदमा।
डेयरी, कपड़ा, चीनी, नमकीन, तेल, मसाले और साबुन सहित शाकाहारी उत्पादों को कर रहे थे हलाल सर्टिफाइड।
हलाल सर्टिफ़िकेशन की कमाई आतंकवाद और देश विरोधी गतिविधियों में… pic.twitter.com/AcHCKj4rqL
— Prashant Umrao (@ippatel) November 18, 2023
The government’s action is not only aimed at addressing the immediate concerns of forged certificates but also at preventing the potential economic and security ramifications associated with the exploitation of religious sentiments. The ban reflects a broader effort to ensure fair business practises, protect public health, and maintain communal harmony.
Critics, however, argue that such a blanket ban may have unintended consequences, impacting legitimate businesses and causing economic disruptions. They emphasise the need for a nuanced approach that targets fraudulent practices without adversely affecting law-abiding businesses and communities.
As the investigation unfolds, the government’s decision to ban halal-certified products is likely to fuel discussions on the role of certification in a diverse and pluralistic society. It remains to be seen how this bold move by the Uttar Pradesh government will shape the discourse on food certification and its intersection with communal relations in the state.
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