Uttar Pradesh Government Contemplates Statewide Ban On Halal-Certified Products Amid Allegations Of Deceptive Practices

The Uttar Pradesh government is contemplating a statewide ban on products carrying halal certificates following a case lodged in Lucknow against a company and three organizations accused of providing such certificates. The case, filed at Lucknow’s Hazratganj police station, alleges that certain companies are exploiting halal certification to boost sales within a specific community, raising concerns about manipulating public faith.

The complaint, filed by Lucknow resident Shailendra Kumar Sharma, asserts that companies are targeting a particular community by certifying products as halal, including vegan items like beauty oil, soaps, and toothpaste, unnecessarily. The complaint suggests that this practice not only harms businesses of another community but also fuels animosity among different sections of society, alleging a conspiracy to weaken the country.

Moreover, doubts are raised in the complaint about the financial gains from halal certifications being potentially used to fund terror outfits. The case has been lodged against Halal India Private Limited in Chennai, Jamiat Ullema Hind Halal Trust in New Delhi, Halal Council of India in Mumbai, and Jamiat Ullema in Mumbai, along with other unidentified manufacturing companies and individuals associated with anti-national activities.

The charges filed include criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between different groups, uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings, extortion, cheating, forgery, and statements conducing public mischief under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Simultaneously, the Uttar Pradesh Police have taken action against businesses selling "Halal certified" products with fake documents, alleging that these certifications were acquired through forgery. The police have named Halal India Private Limited among the businesses involved in this illicit practice. The fake certifications were reportedly used for a range of products, including cosmetics, toothpaste, oil, and soap. Associations such as Jamiat Ulema Hind Halal Trust in Delhi, Halala Council of India, and Jamiat Ulema in Mumbai are also implicated in the case.