This is all due largely to Islamophobia and an inherent desire to damage the minority community economically
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Hindutva outfits, their leaders and supporters often target products given halal certificates by Muslim organisations for the use of Muslims. These miscreants launched campaigns, made hate speeches, and asked Hindus and the government to boycott these products due largely to Islamophobia and an inherent desire to damage the minority community economically.
Halal is an Arabic word used to describe anything or act which is permitted under Islamic rules, as defined in the Holy Qur’an.
Now, the Hindutva chauvinists have gone a step ahead and made a documentary urging non-Muslims to boycott halal products.
On Monday, Hindutva Watch, a research initiative to monitor reports of attacks on members of religious minorities in India, brought to light the documentary.
“Far-right group Hindu Janajagruti Samiti is spearheading a disinformation campaign against halal products in India. The group is producing videos filled with conspiracy theories that are circulating far and wide and shown at events,” it tweeted.
Explaining halal rules and regulations in a demeaning and hateful manner, the documentary says animal sacrifice is “jiv hatya” (murder of animals).
Giving details of the products which are being certified as halal, the documentary gives a conspiratorial tone to it saying that a halal economic system is being built. It warns that many products are being certified with halal marks and objects that the companies are marketing halal products even though Muslims are a minority in the country.
The documentary even goes on to make a baseless claim that halal products are being imposed on Hindus forcefully.
It also targets Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind for issuing halal certificates to different companies. The documentary asks Hindus to boycott companies which sell halal products.
However, there are several questions which remain unanswered. How is it affects followers of other religions if a Muslim buys and sells halal products? How is it harming Hindus if some companies are selling halal products?
As for Muslims, they use halal products as part of their religious obligations and duties.