UP government has banned halal certification

Halal cut is meat cut in accordance with Islamic law

Halal certification has expanded to cosmetics as well

The Uttar Pradesh government, headed by Yogi Adityanath, has banned halal products in the state after a police complaint was filed. 

The complaint was filed under sections 120B, 153A, 298, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 505 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). 

Even as the move has created a lot of controversies, let’s have a look at what halal certification means. 

Halal certification 

When a food product or anything else is halal certified, it means that it is made keeping in mind the Islamic law. It also ensures that pig or pigmeat is not a part of the product. Also, when an animal is butchered, it has to be done in accordance with the Islamic way of doing it. As per the law, an animal has to be slaughtered in a humane manner. 

Moreover, when an animal is cut, it has to be cut by slicing the esophagus and the spinal cord should not be touched. In other ways of butchering, called haram – also an opposite of halal cutting – an animal is beheaded (jatka). 

Though halal is considered to confine itself to food products, it has also been used to cover cosmetics. 

Interestingly, the matter is subjudice, with the top court hearing the matter.