New Delhi: The Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind Halal Trust has objected to the Central government’s statements regarding halal certification before the Supreme Court. The trust, a petitioner against Uttar Pradesh’s ban on halal-certified products, filed an affidavit challenging Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s remark.
During the previous hearing, Mehta claimed that halal certifying agencies generated “a few lakh crores” from the process and questioned whether the entire nation should bear the higher costs of halal-certified products due to the preferences of a few. The Jamiat contended that these assertions were misleading and unfairly targeted halal certification, leading to negative media narratives.
The petitioners also urged the court to direct the Centre to disclose which government officer instructed Mehta to make the statements, as they allegedly lacked factual backing and were inconsistent with official records.
The affidavit emphasized that halal certification extends beyond non-vegetarian food and exports, serving as a right for all consumers to be informed about product ingredients. It cited examples such as tulsi water, lipstick, biscuits, and packaged water, where halal certification is relevant due to the use of animal-based substances in manufacturing.
Addressing allegations of financial gains from halal certification, the trust presented 14 years of financial records, showing an average annual collection of ₹2.07 crore and a surplus of ₹71.6 lakh. It denied issuing halal certifications for iron bars or cement but clarified that some exported packaging materials undergo certification upon request from international buyers.
The petitioners also accused the government of selectively targeting halal certification while allowing other certifications like Kosher to operate freely in the country.
The Uttar Pradesh government imposed a ban on halal-certified products on November 18, 2023, citing a complaint from a BJP youth wing representative alleging fraudulent certification practices. The ban applied to domestic sales and manufacturing but exempted export products. Following backlash, a 15-day grace period was given for retailers to remove halal-certified products from shelves.
Halal certification in India is provided by bodies such as the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust and the Halal Shariat Islamic Law Board. The Supreme Court is now set to hear the matter in Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind Halal Trust v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors. (Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 24 of 2024) and related cases.
