The BJP on Sunday asked the Kerala government to ban halal food and halal boards in restaurants across the state.
The BJP’s request comes after allegations surfaced on social media that Muslim clerics spit food to make it halal. Last week, former VHP State President S.J.R. Kumar petitioned the Supreme Court, claiming that Halal-certified jageri was used to prepare prasadam at the Sabarimala Temple.
On Sunday, Foreign Minister BJP P. Sudheer told media that Halal is a “social evil” like triple talaq.“The BJP does not believe that halal is a religious practice and doesn’t think that even Islamic scholars would back it. By giving a religious façade for halal, extremist organizations are trying to implement a communal agenda in Kerala society,” he said. Claiming that there is a sudden spurt in halal boards in the state, Sudheer said, “If this is being done on behalf of the religion, scholars should be ready to rectify it.”
BJP president K Surendran backed Sudheer and told Kozhikode that the “halal phenomenon” in Kerala was “involuntary or innocent”.
“Some religious extremists are behind promoting halal culture. These forces want to divide Kerala society and create tension in society. There is a clear agenda behind the spread of halal culture,” Surendran said.
PC George, former chairman of the Kerala regional Christian Party Congress (M), also joined the topic. Former lawmaker George, who in the past has angered Muslim organizations for his statements against society, said on Sunday that halal food is part of religious fundamentalism.
