The Maharashtra government has launched a new initiative to certify all Jhatka mutton shops under the ‘Malhar’ certification, ensuring that these establishments are exclusively run by Hindus.
The announcement was made on Monday by Maharashtra’s Fisheries Minister, Nitesh Rane, who urged Hindus to purchase meat only from shops bearing the Malhar certification.
The Malhar certification is intended to be a Hindu alternative to the widely recognised Halal certification, which ensures that meat is prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary laws.
Unlike Halal, where an animal is slaughtered through a slow bleeding process, Jhatka meat is obtained by killing the animal instantly with a single blow, a method considered more humane by its proponents.
To facilitate this initiative, a new platform called MalharCertification.com has been established. According to Rane, the platform will be exclusively operated by members of the Khatik community, a Hindu group traditionally involved in meat trading.
“This is an important step for the Hindu community in Maharashtra. Through this initiative, Hindus will have access to mutton shops that sell Jhatka meat specifically for Hindus,” Rane stated.
He also appealed to the Hindu community to refrain from purchasing mutton from shops that do not have Malhar certification.
“The Malhar certification should be widely adopted, and Hindus should ensure they buy mutton only from certified shops. This is my appeal to the people. Jai Shri Ram,” he added.
Malhar Website and Certification Details
The MalharCertification.com website describes itself as a “certified platform for Jhatka mutton and chicken vendors”. The platform asserts that the meat sold under Malhar certification is prepared strictly according to Hindu religious traditions.
“The goat or sheep meat available under Malhar certification is sacrificed according to Hindu customs. This meat is available exclusively through Hindu Khatik community vendors. Therefore, we encourage everyone to purchase mutton only from Malhar-certified vendors,” the website states.
The website also highlights quality assurances, claiming that Malhar-certified meat is fresh, clean, free from saliva contamination, and not mixed with any other animal meat.
This move comes amid ongoing debates over religious food practices in India, where Halal-certified meat is widely available and often mandated in restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets.
By introducing Malhar certification, the Maharashtra government aims to provide an alternative specifically catering to Hindus who prefer Jhatka meat.
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