Malhar Mutton, Jhatka and Halal… Why the fight over meat broke out in Maharashtra during the festival season

Mumbai: Before Holi in Maharashtra, a new political battle has erupted over Jhatka and Halal meat. Maharashtra Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane has announced that now separate certificates will be given for mutton. Rane clarified that Hindu shopkeepers will be given a certificate for Jhatka Mutton. These shops will be run only by Hindu sellers. That is, Hindus will be able to buy mutton from these shops without hesitation. There will be a full guarantee of purity in these shops.

It has also been announced to create a certification platform called MalharCertification.com for Jhatka meat suppliers. After registration, they will get Malhar certificates. All Jhatka mutton shops in the state will be registered under a certification called ‘Malhar’.

Allies are keeping distance!
Minister Nitesh Rane has started the tune of Malhar in comparison to Halal, but his allies are keeping distance in this tune. Neither BJP has supported it nor Ajit Pawar’s NCP leaders are standing with Nitesh Rane’s idea.

What did the NCP leader say?
Nitesh Rane is facing opposition from his alliance partner on the Malhar and Halal issue. NCP MLC Amol Mitkari said, what should I say to Nitesh Rane. Now he has become a big minister. What he is saying is his personal opinion. Our ideology is of Shahu, Phule, Ambedkar, we will continue to follow it.

AAP said – dividing the society
On Malhar certificate in Maharashtra, AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang said, the biggest beef exporter comes from the Hindu community. Leaders like Nitesh Rane are dividing the society to strengthen their position in BJP.

SP said – does the government support it?
SP MLA Rais Sheikh has supported the Malhar and Halal issue. He said, for the first time minister Nitesh Rane has supported the option. If people want Malhar meat, they can eat it. If they want, they can eat it. Nitesh Rane should also clarify whether the government supports his stand on Malhar.

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said, Malhar Certificate Company is private. If it is the government’s plan, then the CM should have inaugurated it. First tell who owns the company.

Jitendra Awhad said, please release it so that there is unrest between the two communities. We have been eating mutton since childhood. We never asked the religion of the shopkeeper. Now the government is trying to create competition in eating habits.

Shinde Sena MP Naresh Mhaske said, what is wrong in this. Nitesh Rane has not said anything wrong.

BJP MLA Ram Kadam said, what people want to eat, it is their choice. It is a good thing that Nitesh Rane has raised this issue. The opposition is trying to politicise the issue without any reason.

Nitesh Rane said that now there will be no adulteration. We used to hear that some people spit in it which will not happen now. This Malhar certification should be used as much as possible and Hindus should not buy mutton from shops without Malhar certification. This is what I appeal to the people.