New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Monday, pulled up Indian Railways (IR) for what it called an “incomplete” and “non-transparent” report on whether halal-certified food is served to passengers on trains.
Earlier, the NHRC had issued notice to the Railway Board following a complaint alleging that IR serves only halal-processed meat in non-vegetarian meals.
This creates unfair discrimination and results in violations of human rights, the complainant had claimed.
The Railway Board, in response to this notice, had informed NHRC that there is no official provision for selling or serving halal-certified food in trains.
“Indian Railways and IRCTC follow the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines for their food products,” a senior Railway Board official said, adding, “There is no official provision for serving halal-certified food on Indian Railways,” as reported by IANS.
According to railway officials, a similar issue had recently been raised before the Chief Information Commission (CIC) by an applicant seeking information under the Right to Information Act. The applicant had wanted to know whether halal-processed meat is served in non-vegetarian meals on trains.
The Railway Board had taken the stand before the CIC that no halal-certified food is served by Indian Railways.
The CIC, in its order, recorded the Railways’ submission and noted that the Chief Principal Information Officer had clearly and consistently stated that no records or documents exist within IRCTC regarding any policy on halal-certified food, its approval process, or any explicit consent taken from passengers in this regard.
The NHRC, however, observed that the report submitted by IR appears to be “incomplete” and “lacks transparency”, particularly as it affects the “freedom of choice of passengers”, which is a fundamental right that allows individuals to know what they are consuming.
The Commission had further noted that for any meat to be qualified as ‘halal’, the animal has to be slaughtered in a certain way by a Muslim, as per the interpretation of Darul Uloom Deoband.
If such meat is being served on trains or on platforms managed by IRCTC, it raises concerns related to discrimination in employment and restriction of opportunities for people belonging to other religions, the NHRC had noted.
It acknowledged that IRCTC does comply with food standards and quality norms prescribed under the FSSAI, but pointed out that considering the mandates of the ‘Sikh Reht Maryada’ and keeping in view IRCTC’s role as a major public service provider, clear and specific information regarding the method of slaughter used for non-vegetarian food must be disclosed to the public.
It was further noted by the NHRC that IRCTC works with a wide network of food vendors and contractors under various categories to provide meals to passengers at railway stations, on trains, as well as in hotels and restaurants. However, the report submitted by the Railways does not provide details of vendors or contractors serving halal food, jhatka food, or both types of non-vegetarian food.
The Commission has now directed IRCTC to submit a fresh Action Taken Report. The report must include a comprehensive list of all food contractors and vendors engaged by IRCTC for providing meals across all platforms, including railway stations, trains, hotels and restaurants. Against each contractor or vendor, the report must clearly specify whether the non-vegetarian food served is halal, jhatka, or both, along with details of the locations or services where such food is supplied.
The Railway Board has also been directed to take note of these observations and submit an Action Taken Report on how these concerns will be incorporated into its quality and standards framework.
Additionally, the NHRC pointed out that while the Ministry of Tourism issues guidelines for the classification and star ranking of hotels across the country, none of these contain any provision requiring hotels to disclose the method of slaughter used for non-vegetarian food served on their premises.
The Commission has directed the secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, to take note of its observations and submit an Action Taken Report on the incorporation of these aspects into the hotel classification and star ranking system.
The NHRC has sought responses from all the concerned authorities within four weeks.
