Halal Niyantran Manch alleges economic conspiracy via halal certification

The Halal Niyantran Manch, also known as the Halal Control Forum, has launched a campaign alleging that halal certification is being used to establish ‘jihadi control’ over segments of the Indian economy. During a press conference in New Delhi on September 23, forum spokespersons Harinder Sikka and retired judge Pawan Kumar claimed the certification process has expanded from meat products to a wider range of consumer goods and services.

The group alleges that the system imposes Sharia law ‘through the back door’ and discriminates against Hindu and Sikh communities. Specifically, they claim the certification requirements have caused unemployment among members of the Scheduled Castes and Sikh communities who were previously engaged in the animal slaughter trade.

Sikka alleged that previous administrations influenced the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to mandate halal certification for certain meat exports. The forum expressed support for the current central government’s decision to withdraw a previous APEDA order regarding these requirements.