A group of Muslim scholars, including Shia clerics, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have condemned the government’s decision to ban the sale of halal products in the state, in a move that has been described as a flagrant violation of Muslims’ right to eat halal food.
According to Free Press Journal, “Muslims, scholars and activists, including Shia clerics in Uttar Pradesh, a Hindu-ruled state, condemned the government’s decision to ban the sale of halal food and the promotion of its products in local markets.”
For its part, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) said that “there is nothing illegal about halal certificates.”
The board’s spokesperson, Dr. Qasim Rasool Elias, said that “Islam has restrictions on some things that are not allowed to be eaten, and in the case of halal certificates, it becomes easy for the Muslim community to buy the things that are allowed according to religious doctrine.”
All India Muslim Association issued a statement after the government’s ban on halal products, stating that “it has a valid halal certificate and a permit from the Ministry of Commerce,” noting that “halal certificates are issued with transparency and honesty.”
