New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Indian Railways following a complaint alleging that its non-vegetarian menu offers only ‘halal’ meat, and the Commission has sought a detailed enquiry and an Action Taken Report within two weeks.
The issue came to light after a complainant approached the NHRC claiming that the Railways’ apparent preference for halal-processed meat amounts to a violation of human rights and discriminatory treatment towards certain communities, particularly Hindus and Sikhs, who traditionally prefer ‘jhatka’ meat, which is slaughtered in a single stroke without religious invocation.
Halal meat, in this context, refers to a method of slaughter performed according to Islamic dietary laws, in which the animal’s throat is cut with a swift incision, and practitioners believe that this allows the blood to drain more completely from the veins, thereby rendering the meat cleaner and religiously permissible.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, the NHRC wrote to the Railway Board chairman, directing a thorough probe into allegations of “unfair discrimination” and the alleged denial of food choices aligned with the religious beliefs of some passengers.
The complainant argued that Hindu and Sikh travellers are deprived of meal options consistent with their faith, thereby affecting their freedom of choice and religious rights, and it was also stated that the practice of serving only halal meat affects the Hindu Scheduled Caste community, which has historically been involved in the meat trade, and that such a preference could directly impact their livelihood.
The complaint further urged the Railways and all food-catering intermediaries to respect the dietary beliefs of various communities and ensure equal consideration for both halal and jhatka meat, highlighting that the provision of only one method of meat preparation can create a sense of exclusion among passengers who do not subscribe to that practice.
Acting on these concerns, the NHRC Bench headed by Priyank Kanoongo issued a notice to the Railway Board chairman, directing an investigation and timely action.
“Allegations made in the complaint must be enquired into, and an Action Taken Report be submitted within two weeks for perusal of the Commission,” the notice stated.
With IANS inputs