IRCTC Clarifies: No Mandatory Halal Certification for Non-Vegetarian Meals on Indian Railways

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has issued an official clarification addressing renewed allegations that only Halal-processed meat is being served in non-vegetarian meals on trains.

In their statement released on Thursday, IRCTC emphasized that there are absolutely no guidelines mandating Halal certification for any meals provided on railway services.

This controversy initially gained attention on social media platforms in July 2023 and has recently resurfaced following reports claiming that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Railways regarding a complaint about the use of Halal-certified meat in meals served onboard.

IRCTC, which manages ticketing, catering, and tourism services for the state-owned Indian Railways, firmly stated that no policy exists requiring Halal certification for food served on trains.

The corporation explained that they had previously addressed similar concerns, clarifying that non-vegetarian food—primarily chicken—is prepared and served according to the standards established under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, along with all subsequent amendments.

IRCTC highlighted that the Railways maintain very strict food quality standards as prescribed and approved by the Union government. All licensees and catering vendors are required to strictly adhere to norms established by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Furthermore, the Corporation assured the public that it fully complies with all instructions issued by the Railways on this matter, ensuring complete FSSAI compliance across its entire catering service network.

The statement was issued specifically to address public rumors, with IRCTC clearly stating that there is no policy mandating the exclusive use of Halal-processed meat in train meals.

The original complaint regarding railway catering alleged that Indian Railways offers only non-vegetarian food prepared with Halal meat, which the complainant characterized as religious discrimination that infringes upon passengers' freedom of choice.

Additionally, the complainant argued that this practice denies Hindu and Sikh passengers access to meals aligned with their religious beliefs, thereby violating their constitutional rights to religious freedom, equality, and personal liberty.