The Supreme Court will hear a petition challenging the ban imposed by the Uttar Pradesh government on halal certification for various products. The Court, led by Justice BR Gavai, has granted time to the petitioners, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, to file their response to the government’s reply. The hearing is scheduled for March 21, 2025.
The petition, filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, is aimed at contesting the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to impose a ban on products with halal certification. During the proceedings, the lawyer representing the petitioners informed the Court that they wished to file a response to the central government’s reply on the matter. The Court granted time for this submission.
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The case revolves around the ban placed by the Uttar Pradesh government on products that are certified as halal. This ban prohibits the manufacturing, sale, and storage of halal-certified products in the state. The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has challenged this decision, arguing that the ban violates citizens’ fundamental rights.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta expressed his astonishment, pointing out that even cement, steel, flour, gram flour, and bottled water were being halal-certified. Mehta highlighted that the certification process generates billions of rupees. In response, the lawyer for Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind clarified that halal certification is required for products that contain or use alcohol in their preparation.
The Uttar Pradesh government imposed this ban on November 18, 2023. Since then, police have seized products with halal certification from various malls and other establishments across the state. The petitioners argue that the ban infringes upon the fundamental rights of citizens and disrupts legally established practices.
The Supreme Court had previously issued an order halting any punitive action against Jamiat Chief Maulana Mahmood Madani and other officials in connection with the case. Following the imposition of the ban, police have conducted multiple raids and seized halal-certified products, further intensifying the legal battle.
As the case moves forward, the Supreme Court’s decision could have significant implications for halal certification practices and the broader issue of religious and cultural freedoms in India.