The Yogi government  banned Halal certificate.

Is the sudden decision to ban Halal certificate a crackdown on fake certification companies or an election gimmick?

Halal certificate has been banned by the Uttar Pradesh government. The Uttar Pradesh government has taken this decision after Shailendra Kumar Sharma, a businessman from Hazratganj, lodged an FIR regarding fake Halal certificates distributed to some companies.

This matter is about Halal certification not being certified by the Indian law and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India or by any government institution and distributing certificates arbitrarily. But this news is being shown or told by newspapers and media as if the Islamic belief of Halal has been cancelled.

Halal is a belief in the religion of Islam. According to Muslim religion and scriptures, the food and drink that is prohibited is ‘Haram’ and the food that is allowed is ‘Halal’. 

The beliefs of Halal are slightly different in every Muslim country, hence differences are also found in the Halal certificate of every Muslim country. But due to ignorance and lack of information, there are many misconceptions about Halal among common Indians Like associating Halal only with meat. 

However, the Uttar Pradesh government has not banned Halal, only Halal certificates and certified products. This ban will not have any impact on licensed small butchers and traders involved in meat trade. Only the products of corporate and food related Halal certified companies and factories will be affected.

But in Uttar Pradesh the solution to many technical problems in this ban passed by the government has not yet been revealed, due to which this ban can be called only an election ban.

For example the following questions are still unclear-

(1) When has the ban on Halal certificates come into effect?
(2) Which business classes will be included in this ban; corporate, middle class industry sector or micro and micro industries, small and cottage industries?
(3) Which category of meat trade will this ban apply to?

(4) After the Halal ban, will all Halal certified products be recalled?
(5) Will Halal ban also apply to imported products which come to Uttar Pradesh from other countries?
(6) How will the loss of shopkeepers and manufacturers be compensated for the goods seized or destroyed due to Halal ban?

There is confusion among traders, customers and importers regarding the above questions. According to many food policy experts, this is just an election propaganda. Because the state government does not have the right to change any policy rule regarding food, process and packaged food products.

The Central Food Safety and Standards Authority is appointed for this. In such a situation, imposing such restrictions by the state government is like showing an eye to the central government. Even in the state government, such a rule can be brought only through a bill or ordinance. The state government cannot impose this rule without any debate. In such a situation, the news of Uttar Pradesh Government’s action of seizing or confiscating Halal certified products in shops and malls is also being shown loudly in the media, which is not justified in any way.

The country may once again remember demonetization. Which was suddenly implemented overnight. Similarly, in a fake and arbitrary manner, the elections are being polarized by the media by portraying the proceedings on Halal certificates as being against a particular religion. Whereas this action is in favor of Muslims. 

Because an arbitrary Halal certificate is an attack on Muslim religious beliefs and many such religious certifications will also be targeted like Satvik and Satvik India. Satvik certificate has been issued to the food of train Vande Bharat run by Indian Railways.

Halal certified products are being seized or destroyed by the Uttar Pradesh government. And it has not yet been told how the shopkeeper and the manufacturer will be compensated for this. Whereas FIR has been filed only against the companies issuing Halal certificates, and now only FIR has been filed.

 No decision has been taken by the court. In such a situation, will the government’s action of banning and confiscating Halal without any hearing in the Assembly be called dictatorial or an election gimmick? However, after the elections, foodmen will keep an eye on whether this order of the Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh will remain permanent or will it be removed.