A video of a passenger of a Vande Bharat Express train involved in a heated argument with a railway official over a packet of 'halal tea' has gone viral on the internet. In the video, the passenger is heard asking the railway staff about the ‘halal-certified’ tag stamped on the tea packet. The official, however, tries to pacify him and claims that all of these products are vegetarian.
"You're serving halal tea during month of Sawan...explain what halal-certified is," the passenger is heard saying.
"Sawan ka mahina chal raha hai, aap halal chai pila rahe hain. Ye kya likha hua hai? Halal certified. Kya cheez hai ye?," the passenger further says as he also records the conversation with the official.
The official, however, tries to explain that the packet of masala chai premix is vegetarian. “Chai vegetarian hi hota hai, sir. Isme koi bhi cheez non vegetarian nahi diya gaya hai apko,” the official says.
The official also highlights the green dot which signifies the product is vegetarian but nothing no explanation seems to pacify the passenger.
Since being shared on the microblogging site Twitter by user named Poonam, the video has amassed 656.3k views 9,734 likes and tons of comments.
"The service of irctc has gone down terribly. Instead of frooti - a much better brand, they serve some rubbish brand with marked as the same rate. These guys charge same or more but procure substandard product to increase their profits. Disgusting. I have throw the drink everytime," commented one user one the post.
While another wrote, "it's has "veg" written means people who are vegetarian can drink it and "halal" means it doesn't have any ingredients that muslims can't consume. So it's not a big deal but an appreciated act. By your analogy another guy will starting fighting why it has "veg" certificate???????."
"This is a certification stamp.. what is the big deal ?? Companies get certified to different trademarks and standards..," wrote a third.