Halal: Understanding Certificates and Controversies
Recent events in Lucknow, where an FIR was lodged against companies allegedly certifying products as halal for increased sales, have brought attention to the concept of halal.
Understanding ‘Halal’
- Meaning: Halal, an Arabic term, translates to ‘permissible’ and is contrasted with ‘haram,’ meaning ‘forbidden’ in the Quran. It designates what is lawful and allowed in Islamic belief.
- Dietary Laws: Primarily associated with Islamic dietary laws, halal food adheres to specific procurement, processing, and trading practices, similar to the ‘kashrut’ rules in Judaism.
Criteria for Halal Meat
- Slaughtering Technique: In the Indian context, halal refers mainly to the Muslim slaughtering technique, involving a single cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery, and windpipe. The animal must be alive, healthy, and all blood must be drained. Recitation of prayers during the process is also prescribed.
- Contrast with ‘Jhatka’: Contrary to the ‘jhatka’ method, preferred by Hindus and Sikhs, halal does not involve stunning animals before slaughter.
Halal Beyond Meat
- Non-Meat Products: Halal extends beyond meat and covers various consumable items. Vegetarian food, fish, and shellfish are generally considered halal, unless they contain alcohol.
- Personal Care Products: Halal considerations are also relevant in non-food items like medicines, personal care products, packaging materials, and animal feed.
Halal Certificates and Issuers
- Definition: Halal certificates inform consumers whether a product meets the criteria for being considered halal. They don’t necessarily indicate the presence of meat.
- Certifying Agencies: India lacks an official regulator for halal certification. Instead, various certifying agencies, like Halal India, issue certifications based on rigorous testing and audits.
- International Recognition: Certifications from agencies like Halal India are recognized by regulators in Islamic countries, such as Qatar, the UAE, and Malaysia, enhancing acceptability for products meant for export.
Controversies and Legal Issues
- Recent FIR in Lucknow: The FIR against companies certifying products as halal raises questions about the manipulation of public faith.
- Supreme Court Intervention: Opposition-led states, including Tamil Nadu, seek Supreme Court intervention to define the scope of the Governor’s powers in the legislative process.
Month: Current Affairs - November, 2023
Category: India Nation & States Current Affairs