GORAKHPUR: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday urged citizens to avoid buying halal-certified products, alleging that profits from such sales fund “terrorism, forced conversion, and love jihad.” Speaking at the ‘Vichar-Parivar Kutumb Sneh Milan’ and ‘Deepotsav Se Rashtrotsav’ programmes in Gorakhpur, marking the centenary year of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Adityanath claimed that the halal certification industry generates ₹25,000 crore annually, despite lacking official government recognition.
The Chief Minister stated that Uttar Pradesh has banned the sale of halal-certified goods and warned sellers that such products will not be allowed in the state. He cited examples including soaps, clothing, and matchsticks as now coming under halal certification, claiming that the revenue from these sales is misused to finance terrorism and religious conversions. “Whenever you buy something, make sure it doesn’t have the halal certification tag,” he advised the public.
Adityanath also touched on historical narratives, highlighting how “political Islam” posed significant challenges to Sanatan Dharma, yet remains under-discussed in mainstream discourse. He invoked historical figures such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Guru Gobind Singh, Maharana Pratap, and Maharana Sanga, noting that India’s ancestors fought not only against colonial powers but also against ideological threats. “Our ancestors waged major struggles against political Islam, yet this aspect of history remains largely overlooked,” he said.
Further, the Chief Minister praised the RSS for its role in the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, lauding the organisation’s century-long endurance despite political challenges. “While members of the Samajwadi Party, the Congress, and the INDIA bloc questioned the Ram Temple, RSS volunteers remained steadfast in their resolve that the temple would be built,” he remarked.
Adityanath’s comments come amid ongoing debates over the role and recognition of halal certification in India’s market, raising questions about regulatory oversight, consumer choice, and communal narratives. The remarks are expected to trigger further discussion on economic, social, and political dimensions of certification practices in India.
