A Hindu Right Wing organisation named Hindu Janajagruthi Vedike in the state of Karnataka has launched a campaign against halal meat in the form of a ‘Halal-Free’ Diwali. On the eve of Diwali, the organisation urged the Hindu community to boycott companies, such as Pizza Hut and Mcdonald’s, which use halal meat.
Hindu Janajagruthi Vedike calls for a Halal free Diwali
The Backdrop
Hindu Janajagruthi Vedike held an anti-convention on October 16th. A book named “Halal Jihad” was released in the same campaign. “We won’t spend our money on halal this Diwali, but for Hindutva,” read the book. The same outfit launched a similar campaign during the Ugadi festival, in March. The movement was endorsed by a few BJP leaders, however, it failed to gain any momentum back then. The call for a halal meat ban had resulted in a few assaults in the Shivamogga district of the state.
In March, earlier this year, Bharatiya Janata Party national general secretary C.T. Ravi stated that Halal meat is a part of an “economic jihad” by the Muslim community.
#Hindujanajagruti has called for a *#Halal_Free_Diwali asking #Hindus not buy products from #Muslim vendors. Yesterday,they released book on #HalalJihad & have asked to boycott #Muslim shops. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/QDEjy9XlPl
— Imran Khan (@KeypadGuerilla) October 17, 2022
The Campaign
The organisation has asked people to refrain from buying festival products, crackers, and meat with halal certification. Meanwhile, the state police department is considering the sensitivity of the issue. They have been arranged across the state to maintain law and order situation. Mohan Gowda, the state spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruthi Vedike has announced that the campaign would last throughout the festival.
Mohan Gowda, Spokesperson, Hindu Janajagrithi Samiti
What do the leaders say?
“Parallel economy was being run through halal certification. Halal is only for Muslims, why is being imposed on Hindus or people of other religions?” questioned Ramesh Shinde, spokesperson of the right-wing outfit.
Book launching – "Halal Jihad?" – English edition at Bangalore.
…. Thanks for the panelists.@HinduJagrutiOrg@UdayMahurkar@astitvam @sankrant#Halal_Free_Diwali#BoycottHalalProducts pic.twitter.com/EMeHas3Ljp— 🚩 Ramesh Shinde 🇮🇳 (@Ramesh_hjs) October 18, 2022
“We have called upon the entire Hindu community to observe a halal-mukt Diwali. Therefore, any product that has a halal sign should be boycotted. Any manufacturer who has halal certification should be boycotted. Mcdonald’s and other international firms which serve halal food should be boycotted,” he said.
