Yogi’s ban on Halal products: SC grants protection to Halal India, Jamiat Ulama
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The office-bearers of Halal India Limited and Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra have obtained interim protection from any coercive action by the Supreme Court against the Uttar Pradesh government's crackdown on Halal-certified products.
This decision follows earlier proceedings where the court had issued notices to the state, responding to petitions filed by the two bodies challenging the Constitutional validity of the ban.
The ban, implemented through a notification on January 5, prohibits the manufacturing, storage, sale, and distribution of food products with halal certification within the state, excluding items produced for export.
Initially, the Supreme Court had declined to grant interim protection from arrest to the office-bearers. However, on January 25, protection was extended to Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind Halal Trust president Mahmood Madani, who had also challenged the ban.
During the recent hearing, Halal India Pvt Ltd, an internationally recognized halal certification provider, argued that the notification is perceived as an "attack on the followers of Islam religion."
The company contends that the November 18, 2023, notification by the Office of the Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, Uttar Pradesh, has implications beyond the state borders and could impact interstate commerce.
Halal India Ltd emphasized that the ban does not take a similar position regarding practices of other religions or denominations. The company further argued that the ban could have a significant impact on public health and religious practices, potentially affecting the freedom of religion.
The Supreme Court, after considering these arguments, has now extended interim protection to Halal India Limited and Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra, acknowledging the broader implications of the notification on a national scale.