Union Minister Giriraj Singh has called for an immediate prohibition of Halal certificates on food products in Bihar, echoing the steps taken by Uttar Pradesh. In a letter directed to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the Union Minister for Rural Development expressed concerns regarding the purported connection between Halal certification and potential involvement in socially discriminatory and terrorist activities.
Singh contended that such certification, unrelated to Islamic standards, seeks to Islamize products that have no association with the religion. He accused institutions of arbitrarily issuing Halal certificates, allegedly receiving significant payments from companies producing these goods.
In Hindi, he wrote, “The fear that there is a big conspiracy behind Halal certification and business is not unfounded.”
Referring to recent actions taken by the Uttar Pradesh government against Halal certification, Singh urged the Bihar CM to implement similar robust measures in the state.
“I request you to take strict action against such divisive and conspiratorial elements by imposing a ban against the kind of jihad going on in the name of Halal products even in a big state like Bihar,” stated the minister.
Uttar Pradesh recently enforced a ban on the distribution and sale of specific Halal-certified products, including dairy, garments, and medicines, with immediate effect. However, products manufactured for export were exempted from the ban.
The state government’s notification specified that bakery products, sugar, edible oil, and other items labeled as ‘Halal-certified’ by the manufacturing companies would be prohibited from distribution and sale.
Highlighting the confusion created by a parallel system, the notification mentioned that Halal certification of food products creates ambiguity about the quality of these items. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman endorsed the move, emphasizing that food certification should be the responsibility of governmental agencies rather than non-governmental organizations.
“Food quality and food testing are essentially a government job. Government should do it. We have our Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI),” she remarked.
