On November 24, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Railway Board following a complaint regarding the use of Halal-certified meat in non-vegetarian dishes served on trains.
A bench of the NHRC, led by member Priyank Kanoongo, stated that serving only Halal meat on railway trains infringes on human rights and impacts the livelihoods of Scheduled Caste Hindu communities and other non-Muslim groups involved in the meat trade. The notice emphasised that, as a government agency, the Railways must respect the food choices of people from all faiths.
Very pertinent human rights issue raised by @KanoongoPriyank ji.
Dalit persecution by Halal mafia is most damaging yet never talked about. https://t.co/uUJlymwgij
— Sanjeev Newar | सञ्जीव नेवर (@SanjeevSanskrit) November 26, 2025
“The Bench of the National Human Rights Commission, presided over by Shri Priyank Kanoongo, Hon’ble Member, has taken cognizance under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, in this matter,” the notice said.
The commission directed its Registry to issue a notice to the Chairman of the Railway Board in New Delhi, instructing an inquiry into the allegations made in the complaint. The Chairman has been asked to submit an Action Taken Report within two weeks.
The NHRC bench took action after receiving a complaint alleging that the Railways serve only Halal meat, which amounts to unfair discrimination, particularly against the Scheduled Caste Hindu communities traditionally engaged in the meat trade. The complainant also highlighted that Hindu and Sikh passengers are not provided food options that align with their religious beliefs.
The complaint asserted that this practice violates several constitutional rights, including equality and non-discrimination, freedom of profession, the right to life with dignity, and religious freedom, as guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, 19(1)(g), 21, and 25 of the Constitution of India. In response, the NHRC took cognisance of the matter and issued a notice under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
