NHRC Requests Clarification on Halal and Jhatka Meals Served on Trains
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to submit a fresh action taken report (ATR) after expressing dissatisfaction with its earlier response to a complaint regarding non-vegetarian meals served on trains.
The complaint alleges that only halal-certified meat is being provided in train meals, a practice it claims constitutes unfair discrimination and may amount to a violation of human rights. In response, the NHRC has requested a detailed list of all food contractors and vendors engaged by IRCTC, along with clear information on whether the non-vegetarian food they supply is halal, jhatka, or a combination of both. The commission has given IRCTC four weeks to submit the report.
In its initial notice issued in November, the NHRC observed that the allegations appeared, at first glance, to raise human rights concerns. The notice argued that serving exclusively halal meat could negatively impact the livelihoods of Hindu Scheduled Caste communities and other non-Muslim groups.
Source:
The Times of India. (2026). NHRC seeks details of “Halal/Jhatka” food served on trains. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nhrc-seeks-details-of-halal-jhatka-food-served-on-trains/amp_articleshow/126494382.cms
