Hindutva group threatens bakery owner to remove 'Halal Board' in Aluva, Kerala

Hindu Aikya Vedi, a Hindutva fringe organisation threatens to remove 'halal' board from a business shop in Aluva, Ernakulam. It was Aluva Parakkadavu Panchayat Committee of Hindu Aikya Vedi that issued the letter threatening the traders. The bakery operating in Kurumassery has been given the letter with the name and signature of the office-bearers in the official letter pad.

The letter says that "It has been noticed that a halal sticker was affixed on your recently launched bakery thereby giving the message that halal products are available in your shop. Separation of food in the name of any religion is untouchable and a crime,"

The letter demands to remove "the above halal board from the shop within seven days of receipt of the notice,". The letter also warns the shop owner to "avoid such advertisement in the future".

The letter concludes with a threat, "Otherwise, Hindu Aikya Vedi would like to remind you that the shop will be subjected to boycott and protest."

See the copy of the letter here

As the notice spread on social media, many people came out in protest. Some even contacted the Chengamanad Police station where the incident took place. However, the police said they could only intervene if a written complaint was received. The bakery employees have also confirmed the incident.

According to the shop staff, Hindu Aikya Vedi activists came and handed over a letter asking those present to remove the 'halal' board in a threatening tone.

The Hindu Aikya Vedi (HAV) which means Hindu United Front is a Hindutva organisation working in the state of Kerala.The president of the organisation is K P Sasikala, known for her oratory and her speeches are accused of polarizing society on communal lines which gets depicted as 'Hindu awakening'.

Kummanam Rajasekharan, who later became the chief of Bharathiya Janata Party's Kerala unit during 2015 to 2018, had been the secretary of the organisation. It is still shown that he is the General Secretary of the organisation according to its website. The organization was formed in Kerala following Poonthura riots which happened in 1992 and came into more attention following Marad riots in 2003.