SC Dismisses Plea Seeking Ban On 'Halal' Slaughter Of Animals As "Mischievous""

Supreme Court on monday dismissed a PIL challenging "HALLAL'' for slaughter of animals for food .

HALAL is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted. In reference to food, it is the dietary standard, as prescribed in the Qur’an (the Muslim scripture). The opposite of halal is haram, which means unlawful or prohibited .

In general every food is considered halal in Islam unless it is specially prohibited by the Qur’an or the Hadith . By official definition, halal foods are those that are:

1. Free from any component that Muslims are prohibited from consuming according to Islamic law (Shariah).

2. Processed, made, produced, manufactured and/or stored using utensils, equipment and/or machinery that have been cleansed according to Islamic law.

In the meat and poultry food industry, animals such as cows, veal, lamb, sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens, ducks, game birds, bison, venison, etc are considered halal, but they must be prepared according to Islamic laws in order for their meat to be suitable for consumption

Earlier , THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE also ruled that Halal is very painful . There are many reports that explicitly shows the pain and sufferings of animals during Halal

The advocate drew the attention of bench towards the PREVENTION OF CRUELITY TO ANIMALS ACT , 1960 . HE stressed that it's section 3 makes it the duty of every person having the care , charge or possession of animal to take all necessary measures to ensure the well bieng of animal .

Even in the JALLIKATTU CASE , the theory of necessity was reiterated ,it was said that killings of animal for food is allowed but even such killing has to be done in a manner to show humanity to animals .

Section (11) (1) makes it a punishable offence if one mutilates any animal or kills any animal by using any method of strychnine injections in the heart or in any unnecessary cruel matter .

Sec.28 exempts killing of an animal in any manner in pursuance of the religion of any community or for any religious rites .

A bench, presided over by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul told a counsel, appearing for Akhand Bharat Morcha, "Your petition is mischievous in character."

Court cannot determine who can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Those who want to eat 'Halal' meat can eat 'Halal' meat. Those who want to eat 'Jhatka' meat can eat 'Jhatka'," the bench said

BY - PUNEET MUNJAL