NHRC Issues Notice to Indian Railways Over Exclusive Halal Meat Policy: Religious Discrimination Concerns

The complainant has requested the commission's intervention in this matter.

New Delhi:

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Railways regarding a complaint that alleges "only halal-processed meat" is served on trains, creating "unfair discrimination" and amounting to "violations of human rights".

The complaint further alleges that this practice in Indian Railways excludes individuals from Hindu Dalit communities who traditionally work in the meat trade, thereby affecting their livelihood rights and equal opportunities.

Railway authorities have not provided an immediate response to these allegations.

In proceedings dated November 24, the NHRC stated that the allegations presented in the complaint appear to constitute human rights violations at first glance.

The NHRC emphasized that the practice of offering only halal meat "badly affects" the livelihood of Hindu Scheduled Caste communities and other non-Muslim communities. As a government agency, the Railways should respect individuals' right to food choices across all religious faiths "as per the secular spirit of the Constitution of India".

NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo presided over a bench that has taken cognizance of the complaint filed by Sunil Ahirwar from Bhopal under section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

"The registry is directed to issue a notice to the Chairman, Railway Board, New Delhi, instructing them to investigate the allegations made in the complaint and submit an action taken report within two weeks for the Commission's review," it stated.

According to case proceedings, the complainant alleges that "Indian Railways serves only halal-processed meat in non-vegetarian meals, creating unfair discrimination and causing human-rights violations".

The complainant also claims that "Hindu and Sikh passengers do not receive food options aligned with their religious beliefs, affecting their freedom of choice and religious rights, which violates their rights to equality, non-discrimination, freedom of profession, right to life with dignity, and religious freedom under Articles 14, 15, 19(1)(g), 21 and 25 of the Constitution..." He stated this is "contrary to principles established in cases including Olga Tellis (1985), Indian Young Lawyers Association (2018), State of Karnataka v. Appa Balu Ingale (1995), and NHRC v. State of Gujarat (2009).

The complainant has asserted that such a policy in a government-operated system allegedly appears to "violate" principles of equality, secularism, non-discrimination, and right to livelihood.

According to the case proceedings, the complainant sought the commission's urgent intervention in this matter.