New Delhi . India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday said the report submitted by the Indian Railways on the issue of serving halal-certified food in trains is “incomplete” and “also lacks transparency.” The NHRC had issued a notice to the Railway Board following a complaint alleging that Indian Railways serves only Halal-processed meat in non-vegetarian meals, which, according to the complainant, creates unfair discrimination and violates human rights. In response, the Railway Board told the commission that there is no official provision for selling or serving halal-certified food in trains.
A senior Railway Board official said, “Indian Railways and IRCTC follow the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India guidelines for their food products,” adding, “There is no official provision to serve Halal-certified food in Indian Railways.”
Railway officials also said that a similar matter was recently taken up with the Central Information Commission (CIC). An applicant had sought information under the Right to Information Act on whether halal-processed meat is served in non-veg meals in trains.
The Railway Board had taken the stand before the CIC that no Halal-certified food is served by the Indian Railways.
The CIC, in its order, recorded the Railways’ contention and said that the Chief Principal Information Officer has clearly and consistently stated that IRCTC has no records or documents regarding any policy of halal-certified food, its approval process, or any explicit consent taken from the passengers in this regard.
However, the NHRC found that the report submitted by the Railways appears “incomplete” and “lacks transparency”, especially as it affects the “freedom of choice of passengers”, a fundamental right that gives individuals the freedom to know what they are consuming.
The Commission further stated that for any meat to be considered ‘Halal’, as per the interpretation of Darul Uloom Deoband, it must be slaughtered by a Muslim.
It said that if such meat is being served in trains or on platforms managed by IRCTC, it raises concerns of discrimination in employment and restriction of opportunities to people of other religions.
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