The question lingers — in a country that promises freedom of religion to all, why does one community’s faith repeatedly become a battlefield for political gain?
NEW DELHI – The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has once again stirred controversy, this time targeting the Muslim community’s centuries-old dietary practice of halal edible products. The organisation’s National Joint General Secretary, Dr Surendra Jain, has demanded a nationwide ban on halal certification, describing it as part of a “larger conspiracy to impose Shariah law in India.”
Dr Jain’s statement has come in for severe criticism from several Muslim scholars who maintained that describing the practice of halal to the imposition of Shariah law in India is baseless and divisive.
The VHP leader’s statement came amid the government’s decision to withdraw halal certification from export items, a move that has also drawn sharp criticism from Muslim groups, scholars, and community leaders.
“The concept of halal is not about imposing anything on others; it’s about our faith and purity in what we eat,” said Maulana Saifuddin Qasmi, a scholar based in Lucknow. “Linking this to Shariah control is nothing but an attempt to spread hatred against Muslims,” he added.
This latest outburst follows a pattern of frequent targeting of Muslim religious symbols and institutions by the VHP and its affiliates. From calling for boycott of Muslim traders to questioning religious dress such as the hijab, the organisation has been consistently accused of communal polarisation.
Dr Jain, who has often courted controversy, stated that: “Earlier, cameras and loudspeakers were called haram, but now they are halal. The same way, halal certificates on food items are being used as tools to bring Shariah law into India.”
He went further, attacking madrasas, calling them “centres of anti-national activities”, and urging the government to dissolve Madrasa Boards across states. “We cannot allow such places to operate freely when they are being used to promote divisive ideologies,” he said.
His remarks have triggered strong condemnation from Muslim educators. Dr Shakir Ansari, a madrasa teacher in Moradabad, said: “It is easy to accuse without evidence. Madrasas have produced scholars, poets, and citizens who serve this country loyally. Painting all of us as anti-national is deeply insulting.”
Over the past few years, Muslims have faced growing restrictions and boycotts over their food practices. From ban on beef and halal meat sales during Hindu festivals to protests against Muslim vendors in temple areas, the community has been increasingly isolated in public life.
Social activists view this trend as part of a larger political strategy. “These are not isolated incidents,” said social analyst Rukhsar Javed. “When you attack someone’s food, you attack their faith and identity. The halal controversy is just another layer in this chain of systematic marginalisation.”
In several parts of Uttar Pradesh, banners have appeared warning against buying halal meat. Activists fear this may escalate communal tensions, especially when religious festivals overlap.
The withdrawal of halal certification by the Central Government, mandated during former prime minister Manmohan Singh’s tenure through the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), has drawn mixed reactions.
Dr Jain praised the government’s move, saying it was “commendable and necessary for national integrity”. However, Muslim representatives argue that the decision was influenced by pressure from right-wing organisations.
Advocate Zainab Rahmani, a Delhi-based lawyer, questioned the government’s silence: “Why is the government aligning itself with divisive voices? Halal certification is a matter of consumer choice, not national security. Muslims are being targeted again under false pretexts.”
The VHP’s hostility towards Muslim symbols and practices has also extended to educational and cultural institutions. Jain recently criticised the Kerala government’s stance on hijab, claiming it would “spread to the military and judiciary”.
Observers say these repeated provocations erode social harmony and deepen divisions. “The pattern is clear,” noted political commentator Faizan Ahmed. “When jobs, education, or economy are under stress, the easiest way to divert attention is by creating fear of the Muslim other.”
Leaders across the Muslim community have urged the government to protect constitutional rights and religious freedom. Syed Nadeemuddin, a community elder from Bareilly, said: “The same people who accuse madrasas of anti-national work should visit one. They will find students learning not only religion but also mathematics, science, and English. We are proud Indians and deserve the same dignity as others.”
Activists stress that the debate on halal certification should remain an economic and religious matter, not a political weapon.
While Dr Surendra Jain and the VHP claim they are safeguarding the nation’s interests, critics see these statements as a deliberate attempt to fuel communal polarisation. For millions of Indian Muslims, the halal controversy represents yet another challenge to their faith and identity in an increasingly hostile environment.
As one young Muslim vendor in Lucknow quietly put it, “First they told us not to sell meat. Then they told us not to wear the cap. Now even our way of eating is wrong. What more do they want from us?”
The question lingers — in a country that promises freedom of religion to all, why does one community’s faith repeatedly become a battlefield for political gain?
