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Thursday, January 23, 2025

The Halal Economy: Unpacking Its Expansion, Controversies, and Impact on Bharat’s Secular Framework

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Paromita Das

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 23rd Jan.
In recent years, the concept of halal certification has transcended its original association with meat products, spreading its influence across a broad spectrum of industries in Bharat. From vegetarian food items like wheat and cereals to seemingly unrelated products like cement and iron bars, the halal economy has steadily grown, raising questions about its far-reaching implications. The controversy surrounding halal certification intensified on January 20, 2025, when Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, raised significant concerns before the Supreme Court. His arguments, which highlighted economic, social, and religious dimensions of the halal certification system, have reignited debates about its implications for consumers, businesses, and the secular ethos of Bharat.

The Halal Certification Debate

Halal, meaning “permissible” in Arabic, traditionally applies to practices and products considered acceptable in Islam, particularly food. While halal meat has long been an accepted practice, the certification’s expansion to non-meat products—such as cement, iron bars, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics—has prompted scrutiny. In the ongoing Supreme Court case, Mehta questioned the rationale behind imposing halal certification costs on non-believers and raised concerns about the revenue generated by certifying bodies.

This issue has sparked controversy over the influence of halal certification in Bharat. The Uttar Pradesh government’s ban on halal-certified food items for domestic markets has further intensified discussions. While petitioners argue that halal certification is voluntary, critics contend that its growing scope creates systemic bias, economic monopolies, and social divides.

A Thriving Economy with Widening Impact

The halal economy is no longer limited to food but has expanded into pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and daily commodities. Online platforms like Amazon and Flipkart facilitate the sale of halal-certified items, making them ubiquitous. This growing influence raises key concerns:

  1. Economic Monopoly
    Businesses catering exclusively to halal certification standards create a de facto monopoly, potentially sidelining alternative practices like jhatka meat preparation. This restricts consumer choice, especially for non-halal consumers, who may unknowingly purchase halal-certified products due to a lack of transparency in labeling.
  2. Employment Discrimination
    The requirement that halal meat be slaughtered by Muslims has led to a discriminatory hiring process in the meat industry. Large-scale abattoirs often employ only Muslim workers, excluding traditional Hindu butchers and other non-Muslim communities from significant employment opportunities in this billion-dollar sector.
  3. Funding Concerns
    Halal certification fees generate significant revenue, which critics allege could fund activities unrelated to consumer interests. Organizations like Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (JUH), prominent halal certifiers, have faced accusations of using these funds to support legal defenses in terror-related cases. Such allegations highlight the potential misuse of certification revenue, indirectly involving consumers in financing contentious operations.
  4. Cultural and Religious Implications
    The dominance of halal-certified products raises concerns about the erosion of personal and religious choice. For example, individuals whose dietary practices align with jhatka meat or non-halal methods are left with limited options, forcing them to conform to halal standards unknowingly.

The Case Against Halal Certification Expansion

The Uttar Pradesh government’s 2023 notification banning halal-certified food products for domestic markets reflects growing resistance to the halal economy’s unchecked expansion. While this ban excludes exports, it underscores the state’s effort to address the systemic biases created by the certification system.

Tushar Mehta’s arguments before the Supreme Court highlighted the need for regulatory clarity and accountability. He questioned the logic of requiring halal certification for non-meat products like cement and iron bars and expressed shock at the scale of revenue generated by certifying bodies. His concerns are further amplified by reports of forged halal certifications for financial gain, indicating the need for stricter oversight.

Balancing Secularism, Economy, and Consumer Choice

The halal certification controversy reveals a deeper tension between Bharat’s secular framework and the growing influence of religiously oriented economic practices. While halal certification may cater to a specific consumer base, its unchecked expansion risks creating monopolies and systemic discrimination that undermine the principles of inclusivity and fairness.

At its core, the issue is not about opposing halal practices but about ensuring transparency, consumer choice, and equitable economic opportunities for all. By allowing halal certification to dominate industries, Bharat risks alienating non-halal consumers and sidelining traditional practices rooted in the cultural diversity of the nation.

The economic implications are equally significant. The exclusivity of halal standards in industries like meat processing exacerbates employment discrimination, leaving Hindu and other non-Muslim workers marginalized. Addressing these concerns requires a regulatory framework that balances the needs of all communities while ensuring that no single certification system monopolizes the market.

Conclusion: Rethinking the Halal Economy

The expanding halal economy has sparked a necessary debate about its broader implications for Bharat’s society, economy, and secular identity. While halal certification serves the needs of a specific demographic, its unchecked growth risks creating systemic biases that conflict with Bharat’s pluralistic values.

The ongoing Supreme Court case, alongside state-level actions like Uttar Pradesh’s ban, highlights the urgency of addressing these concerns. By fostering transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, Bharat can ensure that its economy remains diverse and representative of all its citizens.

In the end, the halal certification controversy is not just about economic practices—it is a reflection of the delicate balance between tradition, modernity, and the principles of equality that define Bharat’s identity. The resolution of this issue will serve as a litmus test for the nation’s commitment to fairness and secularism in an increasingly interconnected world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post The Halal Economy: Unpacking Its Expansion, Controversies, and Impact on Bharat’s Secular Framework appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.



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