Karnataka CM to look into demand for ban on halal meat

Responding to demand for a ban on halal meat in the state, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said his government would look into the concerns raised by religious groups.

Bommai said at a press conference, “We need to study (the issue) in its entirety. It has nothing to do with rules. It was a practice that was going on. Now, serious objections are raised. We will take a look into.”

Earlier, BJP general secretary C T Ravi too had sought a ban, describing ‘halal’ meat as ‘economic Jihad’ perpetrated by the minority community.

Also read: Brunt of hijab judgment will be borne by Muslim girl students

Serving halal meat to non-Muslims not fair: BJP minority wing leader

Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy chairman Rahim Uchil has said that offering halal meat to non-Muslims is not fair and is equivalent to making them undergo “dharma bhrashta”.

Uchil, who is also the General Secretary of the Dakshina Kannada BJP minority wing, said the halal rule is applicable only to Muslims. “Halal is a practice in Islam that has prevailed for over 1,400 years. Muslims across the world have to eat the meat that is cut according to the halal practice only. This practice is definitely for the non-Muslims. It is not fair to make non-Muslims eat halal meat and cause them to become outcast in their religion,” he said, adding that non-Muslims, who object to halal meat, should buy it from shops belonging to non-Muslims.

Uchil also appealed to Hindu and Muslim communities to discuss the halal issue and find an amicable solution before opportunists try to make it into a political subject.

Also read: Why Islamist radicals welcome Karnataka High Court’s hijab ruling

On the ban on Muslim merchants in Hindu temples, he said that such restrictions among Hindus and Muslims will be sorted out.

Earlier, Uchil courted controversy when he allegedly received threatening calls for speaking in support of the Karnataka government in the hijab row.

Rahim had openly spoken against wearing of hijabs by the students inside classrooms and urged the students to follow the rules set by the college.