An unusual political controversy has erupted in Maharashtra over ‘Halal-mutton’ and ‘Jhatka-mutton’, with BJP leader and Maharashtra’s Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane exhorting the people to go in for Malhar certification, an agency run by Hindu Khatik community.

The Malhar certification is akin to the existing halal certification in India, where the animals are slaughtered according to the Islamic laws.

So much so that the promoters of Malhar certification have come out with a website to push goat and sheep meat at certified outlets run by the Hindu Khatik community vendors.

The message put out on  https://malharcertification.com  reads thus: “Malhar is a certified platform for Jhatka mutton and chicken vendors.

It ensures that goat and sheep meet, sacrificed according to Hindu religious traditions, is fresh, clean, free from saliva contamination and not mixed with any other animal meat. This meat is available exclusively through Hindu Khatik community vendors”.

Launching the Malhar certification, Nitesh  who is the son of former chief minister and BJP Narayan Rane  said, “We have taken a very important step for the Hindu community in Maharashtra. Malhar certification has been launched. Through Malhar certification, we will have access to our rightful mutton shops and there will be a 100 percent Hindu community and the person selling will also be a Hindu. No adulteration will be found in the mutton anywhere. These efforts will definitely make the youth of the Hindu community financially empowered”.

Asking the people not to buy mutton from shops without Malhar certification, Nitesh said, “This Malhar certification should be used more and more and Hindus should not buy mutton from shops without Malhar certification. This is what I appeal to people. Jai Shri Ram”.

Over the past few years, Right-wing groups in several BJP-ruled states have been campaigning against Halal meat.

As per the Halal method of slaughter, the blood must be drained out of the carcass as thoroughly as possible after the animal’s throat is cut.

The Arabic word “halal” means “permissible” in Islamic law, and the halal method of animal slaughter is a specific ritual based on Islamic principles. A Muslim must perform the slaughter. The animal slaughtered must be alive and healthy.

Debunking the promotion of Malhar certification for Jhatka mutton and chicken vendors, NCP (SP) leader and former minister Dr Jitendra Awhad slammed Nitesh Rane for his appeal to Hindus not to buy mutton from shops without Malhar certification.

“By launching this kind of a campaign, Nitesh Rane is indulging in divisive politics. There is no need for creating over Jhatka mutton. People buy mutton as parts. Nitesh is pushing for Malhar certification for Jhatka mutton and chicken vendors. Tell me how fish is to be cut?,” Awhad wondered.

“The sale of Halal meat is as per law. The slaughter is done as per the scientific basis. Under the system, the blood is drained out of the carcass as thoroughly as possible after the animal’s throat is cut. The controversy raked up by Rane is unwarranted”. Hitting out indirectly at Rane, Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh said: “While I support Nitesh Rane’s statement that people can choose what they want to eat. He is creating an option. Whoever wants to get Jhatka mutton’s certificate should go to Nitesh Rane. What is wrong with it?”.  I don’t know why there should be a controversy over this. No one takes Nitesh seriously. That being the case, there is no point in any controversy”.

Shaikh wanted from the BJP-led MahaYuti government as to what is its stand on the Malhar certification for Jhatka mutton and chicken vendors.

It may be recalled that last year, Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak’s Chairperson Ranjit Savarkar,

the grandson of revolutionary freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar had introduced “Om Certificatiobn” for Hindu traders.

At that time, Ranjit Savarkar had said: “Today, efforts are being made to expand religious influence through the ‘Halal certification.’ In response, the Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak has introduced the ‘Om certification.’ This certification is essential for Hindu traders operating in or around temples”.