Nihang opposes halal chicken sale at Punjab shop, demands action

A Nihang Sikh identified as Salwider Singh arrived with companions at a Muslim-owned chicken shop in Gurdaspur, Punjab, and opposed the sale of halal meat to Hindu and Sikh customers.

A video of the incident surfaced on social media on Friday, September 18.

The incident took place outside Al Karim Chicken Point near Jahaz Chowk.

In the video, Singh objected to Muslims operating shops in an area he claimed had no Muslim population. He said Muslims could establish businesses in areas where there was a Muslim population.

Singh also questioned the sale of halal meat to Sikh and Hindu customers who eat jhatka meat. Addressing the shop owner, he said the government and religious organisations should pay attention to such businesses. He also called for customers to be informed about the type of meat being sold.

“Whether people eat halal or not is up to them,” Singh said, while questioning why two halal shops were operating in the locality.

Singh further objected to the shop's English signboard and said signboards in Punjab should be in Punjabi.

He warned that customers could eat food such as biryani without knowing that halal meat was being used and said the practice needed to stop. He also demanded that “proper action” be taken.

The video showed Singh telling the Muslim shop owner to inform customers about the halal meat being served. The incident has drawn attention to the issue of halal and jhatka meat and the sale of halal products to customers from other communities.