What is Malhar certification? All about Maharashtra's 'Hindu-only' meat initiative

All about Maharashtra's 'Hindu-only' meat initiative

Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane on Monday announced the launch of an initiative to register all jhatka mutton and chicken vendors across the state under the newly introduced Malhar certification. The minister said that these outlets would be exclusively operated by Hindus.

What is Malhar Certification?

Nitish Rane launched the portal via a social media post and urged Hindus to purchase only from shops that carry the Malhar certification, a verification platform for jhatka meat suppliers, through the website MalharCertification.com.

Explaining the initiative, the minister said, "Today we have taken an important step for the Hindu community from Maharashtra. This thought is being brought for the Hindu community through which Hindus will get access to mutton shops selling Jhatka mutton for Hindus."

“This Malhar certification should be used more and more and Hindus should not buy mutton from shops without Malhar certification. This is what I appeal to people," Rane further said.

Malhar Certification Website

As part of the initiative, Rane also launched a new website MalharCertification.com, designed to connect consumers with certified jhatka meat vendors. The website describes itself as "a certified platform for Jhatka mutton and chicken vendors." It further mentions that the meat is prepared "according to Hindu religious traditions."

The website emphasises that meat sold under this certification is sourced from Hindu Khatik community vendors. "This meat is available exclusively through Hindu Khatik community vendors. Therefore, we encourage everyone to purchase mutton only from vendors certified by Malhar," the website states.

Additionally, it assures customers that the meat is "fresh, clean, free from saliva contamination and not mixed with any other animal meat."

Why do Hindus prefer Jhatka meat?

Many Hindus advocate for the Jhatka method, believing it to be a more ethical way of consuming meat, as the animal is killed instantly, minimising suffering.

With increasing criticism of halal meat, the demand for non-halal alternatives has surged. A notable example of this shift was Air India’s decision in November last year to serve non-halal food to Hindu and Sikh passengers.

He further explained, "Through Malhar Certification, we will have access to our rightful mutton shops, and there will be a 100 percent Hindu community, and the person selling will also be a Hindu. No adulteration will be found in the mutton anywhere."

Urging people to support the initiative, Rane appealed to the public to buy meat only from Malhar-certified establishments, stating that this would help financially empower Hindu youth.

"I appeal to you to use Malhar certification as much as possible and, in fact, not to buy mutton from places where Malhar certification is not available. These efforts will definitely make the youth of the Hindu community financially empowered," his post continued.