JAKARTA — In a nation celebrated for its rich culinary diversity, where aromatic dishes unite communities and traditional foods strengthen family bonds, the freedom to select one’s dietary choices should remain fundamental. However, on October 25, 2025, Surendra Jain, international working president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), issued a contentious demand calling for a total prohibition on halal certification, characterizing it as an “instrument to enforce Shariah law.” This represents more than an attack on a dietary custom observed by over two billion Muslims globally—it constitutes a direct threat to the religious liberty of India’s 200 million Muslims and the economic sustainability of millions more. Almost immediately, Islamic scholars and community leaders responded forcefully, denouncing the proposal as divisive, unfounded, and detrimental to India’s multicultural fabric. The issue transcends food labeling; it concerns safeguarding choice, faith, and justice in a nation founded on diversity.

VHP’s Arguments: Rhetoric Rooted in Anxiety Rather Than Evidence

Halal certification, a fundamental element of Islamic dietary observance, guarantees that food and products comply with standards of ethical procurement, compassionate animal handling, and exclusion of haram (prohibited) substances such as pork or alcohol. For India’s Muslim population, it provides essential confidence in a varied marketplace, administered by reputable organizations like Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Halal India Pvt Ltd through rigorous verification processes that frequently exceed conventional food safety requirements. For generations, this framework has existed harmoniously alongside other customs, such as jhatka for Hindu and Sikh communities, exemplifying India’s pluralistic character.

However, the VHP, a prominent Hindu nationalist organization, presents an alternative perspective. During a New Delhi gathering, Jain intensified a narrative that has been developing since Uttar Pradesh’s 2023 prohibition on storing and selling halal-certified products. He asserted that certifications serve as a facade for “economic jihad,” alleging that fees support anti-national operations. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reinforced this stance on October 22, claiming Rs 25,000 crore from certifications finances “terrorism, love jihad, and conversions.” These allegations, emerging amid communal tensions including an Aligarh FIR against Muslim households regarding a village slogan, portray halal as a national security concern.

The reality? These assertions lack substantiation. Certification fees operate transparently, supporting non-profit functions including audits and training programs, with no evidence connecting them to illicit endeavors. Islamic scholars contend this discourse isn’t merely deceptive—it represents a calculated effort to marginalize a community and destabilize a flourishing economic sector.

Muslim Community’s Response: Collective Defense of Rights and Rationality

The counterargument emerged swiftly and decisively. On October 26, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind released strong declarations, characterizing the VHP’s demand as “unconstitutional and incendiary.” AIMPLB spokesperson Dr. SQR Ilyas stated unequivocally: “Halal certification represents a religious entitlement, not a conspiracy. Prohibiting it infringes upon our freedom and damages India’s international commerce.” Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahman, AIMPLB president, highlighted that in secular democracies like India, private certifications address a need governments don’t fulfill—a model reflected in nations like the UK and Australia, where halal operates without conflict.

Advocate Zainab Rahmani, a Delhi-based legal commentator, criticized governmental inaction: “Why permit divisive rhetoric targeting Muslims based on false premises? Halal concerns ethics and freedom of choice, not fragmentation.” Professor Aijaz Ahmad from Delhi University provided broader context: “Food is being weaponized to isolate minorities, yet halal’s criteria benefit everyone, from Muslims to conscientious consumers.” Grounded in Article 25 of India’s Constitution, which ensures religious freedom, and supported by Supreme Court decisions affirming dietary rights, their position possesses both legal and ethical validity.

Particularly notable is the scholars’ comprehensive perspective. They emphasize halal’s broad attraction: Its emphasis on sanitation, supply chain transparency, and ethical practices appeals to non-Muslims as well—including vegans, health-conscious individuals, and even multinational corporations like Nestlé. In India’s diverse marketplaces, halal doesn’t conflict with jhatka or vegetarian alternatives; it enhances them, providing choices within a shared culinary environment. Banning it, they maintain, isn’t merely anti-Muslim—it’s anti-Indian, compromising the unity that characterizes the nation.

Economic Implications: Protecting Livelihoods and Trade

This controversy extends beyond religious observance—it impacts economic survival. India’s halal exports, encompassing buffalo meat to basmati rice, generate billions yearly, with Uttar Pradesh alone facilitating shipments to 57 Muslim-majority nations. The worldwide halal food industry, anticipated to reach $1.94 trillion by 2028 and $6 trillion overall by 2033, represents an opportunity India cannot dismiss. Halal certification sustains employment for hundreds of thousands of farmers, processors, and exporters across states including Bihar, Maharashtra, and others.

A prohibition would prove devastating. Export companies like Al-Kabeer, already managing Supreme Court injunctions on state-level restrictions, confront uncertainty that discourages investment. Small-scale farmers, dependent on halal-compliant distribution networks, would forfeit markets like the UAE and Indonesia, where Indian products are valued. A January 2025 industry analysis emphasizes halal’s widespread acceptance: Non-Muslims internationally purchase certified products for their ethical standards, paralleling the organic food movement. For Indian enterprises, certification provides access to 1.9 billion consumers and 20-30% revenue increases—an obvious growth strategy.

For Muslims, halal remains essential, guaranteeing faith-consistent nutrition. Yet its advantages extend universally: More stringent audits ensure enhanced food safety for all, and sustainable methodologies align with global environmental priorities. A prohibition protects no one—it diminishes India’s economic influence and marginalizes one-fifth of its population.

Moving Forward: Strategies and Unity

What lies ahead? Islamic scholars are organizing strategically. The AIMPLB is considering Supreme Court legal challenges, building upon April 2025 proceedings that suspended state prohibitions. They’re also advocating for FSSAI to standardize certifications, guaranteeing transparency and equity. Interfaith dialogues are being planned to dispel misconceptions and promote solidarity. However, the VHP’s initiative may trigger additional state-level restrictions in BJP-controlled regions, making public and legal opposition essential.

For Muslim enterprises, the directive is evident: Reinforce your distribution networks with recognized certifiers like Halal India to protect export opportunities. For Muslim consumers, continue selecting certified products—your purchases maintain employment and preserve rights. And for supporters, elevate these perspectives: Communicate how halal promotes ethical commerce, supports agricultural communities, and reflects India’s pluralistic principles.

This isn’t exclusively a Muslim struggle—it’s an appeal to defend choice and cohesion. The VHP’s prohibition demand aims to create division, but the scholars’ response presents a vision of inclusion. In India’s rich cultural mosaic, halal isn’t a danger—it’s a element connecting faith, fairness, and economic prosperity. Let’s unite to preserve it.

Original Article:

Halal Times. (2025, October 29). Muslim Scholars Condemn VHP Leader’s Demand to Ban Halal Certification. Retrieved from https://www.halaltimes.com/muslim-scholars-condemn-vhp-leaders-demand-to-ban-halal-certification/