A small restaurant on Sankarankoil Road in Surandai, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu has found itself at the center of a national controversy after being threatened by police personnel, allegedly acting on an oral complaint from the SDPI. The restaurant, which serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, was initially subjected to police action that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.
This incident highlights a larger issue in Tamil Nadu, where, following the end of the pandemic, there have been reported efforts to enforce halal certification in non-Muslim eateries, restaurants, and hotels. Business owners were reportedly pressured to obtain halal certificates, display them prominently, and employ several Muslim workers, including those responsible for ensuring halal compliance. Reports also suggest that hefty fees were charged for the certification process.
YouTuber director Ganesan recently interviewed Selva Ganapathy, the owner of “Hotel Saravana” in Surandai, Tenkasi district, who has reportedly faced harassment from police over a sign reading “Non-halal food available” outside his establishment. The interview, which went viral on social media, has drawn attention to Ganapathy’s situation, resulting in odd-hour calls from Muslim countries questioning his motives and instances of harassment.
Brahmanayagam, a functionary of Hindu Munnani in Tirunelveli, stated that Ganapathy explained his intentions were benign. According to Brahmanayagam, Ganapathy said he wanted to inform Muslim customers about the non-halal status of the food so they could choose whether to dine there or go elsewhere, emphasizing that he had no intention of offending religious sentiments.
It is understood that Selva Ganapathy’s intention was to inform customers who follow halal dietary practices, ensuring they could avoid any inconvenience. Rather than being appreciated for his transparency and honesty, he now faces pressure from the police, who repeatedly attempt to remove the signboard despite his explanation. This situation is disheartening, as his efforts were aimed at keeping customers well-informed.
பிரச்சினையை
இப்போதுதான் தொடங்கி வைக்கிறார்கள்..!ஹலால் செய்யப்படவில்லை
என்ற போர்டை அகற்றச்சொல்லி போலீஸ் மிரட்டல்..!சுரண்டை (தென்காசி மாவட்டம்)
பாகிஸ்தானிலா இருக்கிறது..?@PMOIndia @HMOIndia @rajbhavan_tn @CMOTamilnadu @annamalai_k @HRajaBJP pic.twitter.com/lqZXaBbjem— Chinnappa Ganesan (@directorganesan) September 12, 2024
When Ganesan asked the hotel owner about the “No Halal Food Here” sign, Selva Ganapathy explained, “In our town, which we call Sivagurunathan Puram, Surandai, the majority of the population is Hindu, with only a small number of Muslims. Most of the hotels and butcher shops here are owned by Hindus, and very few Muslims are involved in these businesses. We source whole chickens ourselves, and my brother, a relative, butchers the goats. I’ve heard that Muslims chant prayers while cutting meat, but I wasn’t aware of the specifics. They say it’s part of their religious belief.
Recently, a group of four to five Muslims from the nearby Kadayanallur area came to our shop. We served them rice on banana leaves, and they didn’t ask any questions until we poured the curry. Then they asked, ‘Is it halal?’ When we told them it wasn’t, they refused to eat. We encouraged them to go ahead, but they insisted, ‘No brother, we won’t eat.’ When I inquired further, they explained they only consume halal food. They suggested I put up a sign indicating that the food here was not halal. That’s when I first learned about halal food, and soon after, I put up the signboard to avoid any future confusion.”
Selva Ganapathy shared that he inquired with the local chicken shop about their practices, and they confirmed that they source and butcher the meat themselves. Ganapathy emphasised the importance of respecting other faiths by being transparent about his own practices rather than misleading customers. The hotel owner stressed that he refuses to deceive his patrons, unlike others who might. When Muslim customers visit his establishment and ask about halal options, he honestly informs them that his offerings are not halal. However, he ensures they have a specially prepared fish option, which they appreciate and enjoy.
A shopkeeper Thiru Selva Ganapathy from thenkasi had put up a sign board saying “Halal meat is not sold here.” This person was interviewed by Mr @directorganesan and the video became viral . Now I hear that Selva Ganapathy is being asked by authorities to remove that sign board… pic.twitter.com/lWh8NobsCI
— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) September 12, 2024
When asked about the situation, Selva Ganapathy shared, “After putting up the signboard, for 15 to 20 days I started receiving late-night phone calls from unknown numbers, often from people claiming to be abroad. They questioned why I had put up the sign. I explained my reasons, but some of the calls tried to stir up communal tension over the issue.” Despite the pressure, Ganapathy remained firm in his decision, emphasizing that he was simply respecting others’ beliefs and being transparent with his customers.
In response to another question, Selva Ganapathy clarified, “The meat I buy comes from my brother’s shop. Even if Muslims had a shop here, I would still buy from my brother. People might ask, ‘Why aren’t you buying from him when your brother has a shop?’” He also mentioned that police are now pressuring him to take down the signboard, threatening to demolish his shop for encroaching on government land or to shut it down through the health or food safety department. Director Ganesan, in a follow-up video, claimed that police had warned the eatery owner, “If you don’t replace the sign with ‘Halal food available,’ you will face serious consequences.”
பிரச்சினையை
இப்போதுதான் தொடங்கி வைக்கிறார்கள்..!ஹலால் செய்யப்படவில்லை
என்ற போர்டை அகற்றச்சொல்லி போலீஸ் மிரட்டல்..!சுரண்டை (தென்காசி மாவட்டம்)
பாகிஸ்தானிலா இருக்கிறது..?@PMOIndia @HMOIndia @rajbhavan_tn @CMOTamilnadu @annamalai_k @HRajaBJP pic.twitter.com/lqZXaBbjem— Chinnappa Ganesan (@directorganesan) September 12, 2024
Do we have the right to choose the food we eat? Are we willing to unknowingly support terror activities in our country through our choices? Let’s revisit some earlier incidents in Tamil Nadu to explore these questions.
In November 2021, photos of Thushara Ajith, a restaurateur from Kochi, Kerala, were circulated on social media with claims that she was attacked by individuals from the Muslim community for attempting to open an eatery that did not serve Halal food.
“The Organiser” reported another incident involving Jain Bakeries and Confectioneries. This bakery, known for its egg-free products prepared according to Jain traditions, became the target of online outrage. In May 2020, New Delhi-based lawyer Rizwan Nizami tweeted an image criticizing the bakery for claiming they did not employ any Muslims. When Nizami called the bakery to inquire about their hiring practices, the owner confirmed they only employed Jains. Rizwan Nizami then posted a morphed image on social media with the message, “Jain bakeries, No Muslim staff. Welcome to a new normal.”
A series of tweets followed, condemning the bakery’s advertisement. One individual, Hashim Khan, openly accused the bakery of ostracizing Muslims. This led to the police sealing the shop and arresting the owner, Prashanth, on charges of outraging religious sentiments.
BJP functionary Sekar questioned whether the state-run Aavin can sell its products with a Halal certification. He argued that this practice may not align with secular principles, as it involves ensuring Muslims are part of the processing process and then receiving certification from a Muslim body. Sekar claimed this could effectively limit job opportunities for Hindus and described it as a form of discriminatory labor practice. He urged Hindus to oppose Halal certification, asserting it is not comparable to ISO or BSI standards. In a secular nation, he argued, Muslims are allowed to have political parties like the Muslim League and conduct business with “100 percent Halal” certification.
In a September 2022 article, “The Organiser” raised concerns about Halal certification practices, alleging issues such as spitting on dishes and using inedible or even rotten meat, including potentially dog meat. The article reported an incident in Chennai where 2,190 kilograms of meat shipped from Jodhpur aroused suspicions regarding its source, with the parcels lacking proper sender or receiver addresses.
In the same year, your portal highlighted concerns over the proliferation of unlicensed, unhygienic Halal-certified eateries in Chennai, which allegedly use poor-quality ingredients and contaminated meats from dogs, cats, and cattle. This led to public outrage, especially following the death of a girl after eating shawarma. There were also claims that some biryanis might contain male contraceptive pills intended to reduce the Hindu population, with allegations of separate cooking vessels for Hindus and Muslims.
Additionally, your portal reported that the Hindu Munnani, Vijayabharath Katchi, and other groups celebrated their success in halting the three-day Ambur Biryani Festival, which has now been postponed indefinitely by the District Administration. Vellore division Hindu Munnani leader Mahesh criticized the festival, arguing that promoting Biryani, a dish associated with a particular religion, was inappropriate.
He called for a boycott of the event. Vijaya Bharatha Makkal Katchi president Ambur Jaisankar warned that the festival could incite communal clashes. Dravida Muslim Progressive Party chief Vellore Iqbal deemed the festival unnecessary, while VCK threatened protests if beef was excluded, citing its popularity among Dalits and minorities.
