'Halal' Meat Is Against Hinduism, Sikhism, Eateries Must Specify, Says South Delhi Body
The standing committee of the BJP-led South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has cleared a proposal that asks restaurants or shops to "mandatorily" display whether the meat being sold or served is cut using the ''halal'' or ''jhatka'' method, officials said on Friday.
The order will also be applicable to shops selling raw chicken or meat also.The proposal, cleared by the standing committee, will now be sent to the House that is BJP-controlled, after which it would become a rule.
Forbidden for Hindus, Sikhs
The resolution, tabled by Chattarpur councillor Anita Tanwar last month, a copy of which states that consuming halal meat is ¡°forbidden and against religion in Hinduism and Sikhism¡±.
¡°There are 1000s of restaurants in 104 wards of four zones falling under South Delhi Municipal Corporation. Out of these meat is served in about 90 per cent of restaurants but it is not mentioned whether the meat being served by the restaurants is halal or jhatka,¡± reads the resolution. ¡°Similarly, the meat shops also do not make the distinction¡ Therefore, this meeting resolves that this direction be given to restaurants and meat shops that writing/mentioning jhatka or halal has been made mandatory.¡±
Complaints on the rise during pandemic
South DMC¡¯s standing committee chairperson Rajdutt Gahlot claimed the corporation received multiple complaints about restaurants not specifying the type of meat being served, which prompted the resolution.
¡°These complaints have been on the rise during the pandemic since people are skeptical,¡± he said.
Anita Tanwar told ThePrint it was a routine resolution. ¡°Actually, eateries obtain an annual health trade licence from the corporation ¡ª be it South, North or East. So this condition is just to help identify the type of meat being served, nothing else,¡± she said.
On why the resolution stated that ¡°eating halal was against Sikhism and Hinduism¡±, Tanwar said: ¡°Those were examples that we state in the MCD documents while sending the proposal¡I would like to know the specifics before ordering anything. Other Hindus would too. But if someone wants to consume it, we aren¡¯t stopping anyone.¡±
Difference between halal and jhatka
Halal means ¡®permissible¡¯ is Arabic and Halal food is what adheres to Islamic law.?The?Islamic form of slaughtering animals?for consumption of meat involves killing through a cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery and windpipe.??
Islamic law says animals must be alive and healthy at the time of slaughter, and all blood is drained from the carcass.
In contrast, in the?jhatka?way of slaughter, the animal¡¯s head is severed in one single blow and it dies instantly.
