Include Halal Certification Prohibition Act in manifesto: HJS tells BJP

The issue relating to halal meat is hotting up in Karnataka. Questions are being raised on how Muslim groups are issuing certificates for halal meat

Ahead of Ugadi, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has asked the authorities to promote Hindu jhatka meat shops in every nook and corner of Karnataka.

"We are opening jhatka meat shops in every ward. We want to make the entire Karnataka halal-mukt. Crores of rupees from these halal certified shops are being used in anti-India activities and we want a detailed probe on this," Mohan Gowda official spokesperson of the HJS told India Today.

Last year too ahead of Ugadi, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti had launched a massive campaign across the state on the same issue. The Samiti said that they have been 70 per cent successful in persuading people to buy jhatka meat. They also said that most people have refrained from buying halal certified meat.

Gowda said that BJP should include this issue in its manifesto. The 'Halal Certification Prohibition Act' must be brought in. If the need be, we are ready to fight this out legally, he also said.

The halal certification issue has become a major one, with not just the HJS, but many BJP leaders in the state raising objection to the same. Why should the Hindus be forced to buy halal meat, the organisations have asked.

Halal meat is prepared as per Muslim religious rites and all Muslims are supposed to consume halal meat only. The meat sold at Muslim shops are prepared as per halal customs. This is the reason why Hindu groups have been calling on Hindus to boycott such shops.

The BJP had in December alleged that several organisations are charging money for issuing halal certification in an unauthorised manner.

'Halal' is an Arabic word which translates to permissible in contrast with haram, which translates to forbidden. The halal certification, which was earlier restricted to meat, has now been extended to various products such as cosmetic goods, food items and others, BJP leader Ravikumar had said.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is the government agency which gives the certification. Who gave these Muslim organisations the permission to certify halal products? They are not a certified authority to do this. They charge in lakhs to give such a certification and where does this money go, Ravikumar had also asked.

The statement came in the wake of The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti restarting its campaign to ban halal certification on various products in the state of Karnataka. The group met with many MLAs and leaders of the BJP and submitted a memorandum in this regard.

"In the name of halal certification, there is a huge conspiracy and mafia to sell halal products across India. Muslim organisations are collecting crores of Rupees using halal certification and the money is being used for anti-national activities," Gowda also said.