In a proactive move, the Uttar Pradesh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has imposed a ban on the sale of halal-certified products. This decisive action comes in the wake of a police case filed against organizations, including Halal India Private Limited, Chennai; Jamiat Ullema Hind Halal Trust, New Delhi; Halal Council of India, Mumbai; and Jamiat Ullema, Mumbai, for allegedly providing forged certificates to retailers.
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The official order, issued on Saturday, explicitly states that the ban on the production, storage, distribution, and sale of halal-certified edible items is in the interest of public health and takes effect immediately. Additionally, a separate government decree extends legal repercussions to pharmaceuticals, medical gadgets, and cosmetic items featuring halal-certified labeling.
The police case, registered in Lucknow, alleges that these organizations exploited religious sentiments to boost sales through the provision of fraudulent halal certificates. The complaint, lodged by Shailendra Kumar Sharma, raises concerns over a potential large-scale conspiracy aimed at diminishing the market share of products lacking a halal certificate, deeming such practices illegal.
The complainant further asserts that the issuance of halal certificates for vegetarian products like oil, soap, toothpaste, and honey, where such certification is unnecessary, indicates a deliberate criminal conspiracy targeting a specific community and its products. The complaint suggests an unfair advantage being passed on to anti-social and anti-national elements, with apprehensions of disproportionate profits potentially being channeled towards supporting terrorist organizations and anti-national endeavors.
The charges filed against the accused organizations include criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between different groups, uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings, extortion, cheating, forgery of valuable security, using forged documents or electronic records as genuine, and statements conducing to public mischief.
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This decisive government action not only addresses the immediate concerns of fraudulent certification but also aims to safeguard public health and uphold the principles of fair trade within the state of Uttar Pradesh.