The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Railway Board on Monday (24th November) based on a complaint regarding the use of Halal-certified meat in non-vegetarian dishes served in the trains.
A bench of NHRC presided by member Priyank Kanoongo stated that the use of only Halal meat in the railway menu violates human rights and affects the livelihoods of the Scheduled Caste Hindu communities and other non-Muslim communities who work in the meat trade. The notice said that the Railway, being a government agency, should respect the right to choose food of people belonging to all faiths.
“The Bench of the National Human Rights Commission, presided by Shri Priyank Kanoongo, Hon’ble Member, has taken cognisance u/s 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, in the matter,” the notice read.
The commission directed the Registry to issue a notice to the Chairman, Railway Board, New Delhi, containing directions to get the allegations made in the complaint inquired into. The commission further directed the Chairman to submit an Action Taken Report within 2 weeks before it.
The NHRC bench took the action after receiving a complaint stating that only Halal meat is served by the Railways and it is an unfair discrimination especially against Scheduled Caste Hindu communities who traditionally work in the meat trade. The complainant also said that Hindu and Sikh passengers do not get food options that match their religious beliefs.
The complaint claimed that it violates the equality, non-discrimination, freedom of profession, right to life with dignity and religious freedom of people under Articles 14, 15. 19(1)(g), 21 and 25 of the Constitution of India. The NHRC took cognizance of the matter and issued notice under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
