The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority on Monday removed the word “halal” from a red meat manual which ...
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority on Monday removed the word “halal” from a red meat manual which specifies the contours of meat export amid allegations by right-wing Hindutva groups that it gives Muslim exporters an unfair business advantage, the Hindustan Times reported.
Halal is meat and poultry killed in accordance with Quranic guidelines derived from the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. Meat slaughtered in this particular way is labelled as “halal-certified” as several Islamic countries only import that. India exports buffalo meat to many of these countries.
The government body, which functions under the commerce ministry, said in the revised manual: “The animals are slaughtered to the requirement of importing country/importer.”
In the older version, it read: “The animals are slaughtered strictly according to ‘halal’ method to meet the requirement of Islamic countries.”
The APEDA clarified that there was no condition imposed by the Indian government regarding halal meat, according to The Indian Express. “It is a requirement by a majority of the importing countries/importers,” it said. “Halal certification agencies are accredited directly by respective importing countries. No government agency has any role in this.”
Right-wing groups have been against against halal certification for products in the country. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad is among those who have been vocal in...
