Hindutva Group Calls Halal a ‘Conspiracy’ for Acute ‘Jihadi Control’.

Press Conference of Halal Niyantran Manch in Delhi.

Halal Certification Row Intensifies as Hindu Groups Demand Scrutiny.

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | New Delhi | Sept 25, 2026:: A fresh confrontation over halal certification is taking shape, with the Halal Control Forum accusing the system of operating beyond food regulation and allegedly creating an economic structure that discriminates against Hindus and Sikhs. At a press conference on September 23, the group alleged that halal certification has expanded into multiple sectors, questioned the role of Muslim certification bodies and demanded greater scrutiny of the funds generated through the process. The allegations come amid earlier nationwide campaigns by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti against what it has described as an acute “anti-Hindu” and “anti-national” character of halal certification.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, September 23, Forum spokesperson Harinder Sikka and retired judge Pawan Kumar raised a series of allegations concerning the expansion of halal certification from meat products to a wider range of consumer goods and services.

The Forum described halal certification as an attempt to establish what it called “jihadi control” over sections of India’s economy and alleged that the system was being used to introduce elements of Sharia law “through the back door”. These claims were made by the organisation as part of its wider campaign demanding scrutiny of halal certification practices.

From Meat Certification to a Wider Market

Sikka argued that the controversy originally centred on the certification of animal meat but subsequently acquired a much wider economic dimension.

He alleged that “some maulanas”, working in conjunction with previous Congress governments, had influenced the issuance of an order through the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), making halal certification a requirement for certain meat exports.

According to Sikka, the certification process also created a preference for meat produced through Muslim slaughterers. He claimed that the development affected members of Scheduled Caste and Sikh communities who were traditionally involved in the animal-slaughter and meat businesses.

“The maulvi providing the halal certification would issue the certificate only when the animal had been slaughtered by a Muslim,” Sikka alleged.

He further claimed that halal requirements subsequently became relevant to procurement practices in institutions and commercial establishments, including railways, airlines, airports and hotels.

Sikka linked the issue to the religious practices of Sikhs, arguing that halal meat conflicts with Sikh religious traditions and that consumers should not be compelled to accept a particular method of slaughter through institutional purchasing policies.

Jhatka Meat and Employment Concerns

The Forum also raised the issue of jhatka meat shops, with Sikka alleging that people attempting to establish such businesses had faced threats, including what he described as “life-threatening attacks”.

He maintained that the debate was therefore not merely about food preferences but also concerned employment, business opportunities and the freedom of consumers to choose between halal and non-halal products.

Sikka welcomed what he described as the Central government’s withdrawal of an “illegal order by APEDA”, crediting the Forum’s campaign for drawing attention to the matter.

Allegations of Expansion Beyond Food

Pawan Kumar widened the scope of the allegations, claiming that halal certification was no longer confined to meat and food products.

He alleged that sections of the Muslim community had been encouraged to seek halal-certified medicines, cosmetics, food and beverages and even properties and buildings. Kumar questioned the financial structure behind such certification and the organisations involved in issuing certificates.

He also accused previous Congress governments of having facilitated what he described as an “unconstitutional” arrangement by authorising four Muslim organisations to issue halal certificates.

The former judge further claimed that a disproportionately large share of halal-certified products was purchased by non-Muslim consumers. He alleged that money generated through certification was subsequently diverted towards activities including religious conversion, “love jihad” and support for terrorist organisations.

These allegations were presented by Kumar as part of the Forum’s argument that the halal-certification issue requires wider examination beyond its immediate application to food.

Hindu Organisations Have Raised the Issue Earlier

The latest campaign comes against the backdrop of earlier nationwide mobilisation by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), which has campaigned against halal certification and questioned what it describes as the growing influence of halal standards in India’s commercial and institutional sectors.

The organisation has previously sought public awareness on the subject, portraying halal certification as an issue involving not only dietary practices but also questions of economic participation, religious freedom and the flow of certification-related funds.

The latest statements by the Halal Control Forum indicate that the issue continues to be framed by Hindu organisations as a question of economic and religious rights rather than merely a matter of food certification.

Call for Nationwide Mobilisation

The Halal Control Forum has now called for demonstrations on September 28 and 29 and appealed to young people to participate in programmes planned in state capitals across the country.

The Forum’s campaign is expected to keep the halal-certification issue in the public spotlight, particularly its claims concerning employment in the meat sector, the expansion of certification into non-food products and the financial activities of certification bodies.

The allegations made at the press conference, including claims linking halal-certification revenue to religious conversion, “love jihad” and terrorism, were presented by the speakers as part of their campaign. The report does not independently establish those allegations.
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_Agency Inputs.