She asserted that private bodies should not be permitted to issue such certifications for products sold internationally, and that only the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which holds the official authority, should carry out food certifications
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni. File Pic
During Zero Hour in the Upper House, Medha Vishram Kulkarni stated that the concept of halal is linked to a specific religion and faith, and it should not be imposed on people of other faiths, news agency PTI reported.
She further asserted that private bodies should not be permitted to issue such certifications for products sold internationally, and that only the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which holds the official authority, should carry out food certifications.
"India is a secular country, and people of other faiths also live here. There are people for whom eating halal meat goes against their faith, such as Hindus and Sikhs," said Kulkarni, the party’s Rajya Sabha member from Maharashtra.
Moreover, imposing "halal-certified" meat on non-vegetarians does not seem right in a secular country and is also against the Constitution, which grants individuals the right to respect their own faith, she added.
The Rajya Sabha MP also questioned the halal certification given to non-meat products such as milk, sugar, oil, and medicine,PTI reported.
"Not only this, non-food items like construction materials, cement, plastic, chemicals, and others have also been given halal certification. This is illogical, raises apprehensions, and undermines secularism," she claimed.
"My demand is that halal certification for non-meat and other non-food items be immediately withdrawn," Kulkarni said in Hindi, adding that the authority of private institutions to grant such certification should be revoked immediately.
She also emphasised that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been given the authority to issue food certification, and private institutions or bodies should not be allowed to provide such certification.
"Despite this provision, religious institutions or private organisations still have the right to issue halal certification. My demand is that for those who seek halal certification, it should be granted only through the government system, and any charges collected should be deposited into the government treasury," she said.
Halal is an Arabic word meaning “permissible” or “lawful” in Islamic tradition.
Kulkarni said halal certification charges lead to price increases, which are paid by consumers of all faiths, indirectly.
"This situation hampers consumer freedom, market transparency, and social equality," she added.
(With PTI inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
