NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has written to Punjab government over serving of halal meat in restaurants in the state, stating that halal meat is prohibited in Sikh religion.
The minorities panel has asked the state government to advise restaurants, hotels and other eateries to mandatorily disclose whether the meat they are serving is ‘halal’ or ‘jhatka’ so that people can make an informed choice.
In a letter to Punjab Chief Secretary Anirudh Tewari, NCM chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura said it has come to the notice of the Commission that hotels/restaurants in Punjab were serving halal meat only which is prohibited in Sikh religion.
“Accordingly, all hotels/restaurants may be advised to mandatorily disclose the category of the meat whether it is ‘jhatka’ butchering meat or ‘halal’ butchering meat at all eating joints to allow the public to make an informed choice before consumption,” Lalpura wrote.
In the halal process, animals are killed with a cut to the jugular vein and are left till the blood drains out completely. In the jhatka method, the animal is killed instantaneously.
“An early action in the matter shall be highly appreciated,” said the NCM chief.