Government has removed the word ‘Halal’ from its Red Meat Manual issued by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), amidst a social media campaign by Hindu right-wing groups and Sikh organizations. An intense campaigning was underway against halal certification for products in the country.

What was the contention?

The controversy began about 6 months ago, when the issue of the Read meat Manual reading as if it promotes and is imposing Halal method if slaughter in India had surfaced. Some Hindu groups had then alleged that the use of the term gives an unfair business advantage to Muslim exporters.

The older manual issued by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority read: “The animals are slaughtered strictly according to ‘Halal’ method to meet the requirement of Islamic countries”.

The argument put against the usage of the word Halal was that it implied that APEDA was making it mandatory for exporters to buy and acquire only “halal-certified” meat .

It was said that other than Islamic countries in West Asia, India also exports meat to countries such as China and Sri Lanka, where “halal” certification is not needed.

What is the revision made?

After intense campaigning, the emphasis on the word ‘Halal’ has been dropped and now the section reads: “The animals are slaughtered to the requirement of importing country/importer.”

“There is no condition by Govt. of India that only Halal Meat to be exported. It is requirement of majority of importing countries/Importers. Halal Certification agencies are accredited directly by respective importing countries. No Government agency has any role in this,” APEDA said in a tweet last month.

What does Halal mean?

Halal is a term used for consumables permitted under Islam. It is Arabic for permissible. Halal food is that which adheres to Islamic law, as defined in the Quran. This type of slaughtering animals or poultry involves killing through a cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery and windpipe.

There are several Islamic countries which import only ‘halal-certified’ meat.