BJP chief minister calls for ban on halal food in India

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, known for his Hindutva-driven politics, has called for a nationwide ban on halal food, alleging that money earned through halal certification is being used by Muslims to promote “love jihad” and forced religious conversions.

Speaking at a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) event on Wednesday, Adityanath delivered a speech laced with anti-Muslim remarks, accusing “political Islam” of hurting Hindu values.

He invoked historical Hindu rulers, saying, “Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Guru Gobind Singh, Maharana Pratap, and Maharana Sanga fought against political Islam, but such history is not discussed in the country.”

Adityanath urged Hindus to use swadeshi (locally made) products and avoid halal-certified items, claiming that the revenue from these certifications is used to fund terrorism and religious conversions.

“You must check that the products you buy are not halal certified. You will be surprised to know that even soaps and clothes carry halal certification,” he said.

In 2023, Adityanath’s government imposed restrictions on companies issuing halal certifications, arguing that such entities were earning unjustified profits. He claimed that the certification business generates over INR250,000 million annually and vowed to crack down on the practice.

Despite being one of the world’s largest exporters of beef, India has not officially banned the sale or production of halal meat. However, far-right groups continue to target the Muslim community, claiming that halal practices offend Hindu religious sentiments.