The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) expressed dissatisfaction with the report provided by the Indian Railways regarding the controversy over serving halal-certified food on trains. The NHRC stated that the report lacked transparency and was incomplete, raising concerns about the freedom of choice for passengers. The Railway Board clarified that there is no official provision for serving halal-certified food on Indian Railways.
The issue arose following a complaint alleging that only halal-processed meat is served in non-vegetarian meals on trains, leading to accusations of unfair discrimination and human rights violations. The Railway Board emphasized that Indian Railways and IRCTC adhere to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines for their food products. Despite this, the NHRC highlighted the importance of passengers knowing the method of slaughter used for non-vegetarian food, especially in light of concerns related to discrimination and restrictions on opportunities for individuals of other religions.
The NHRC underscored the significance of transparency in disclosing information about the method of slaughter for non-vegetarian food served by IRCTC, considering the diverse dietary preferences and religious beliefs of passengers. The Commission directed IRCTC to submit a detailed Action Taken Report listing all food vendors and contractors engaged for providing meals across various platforms, specifying whether the non-vegetarian food served is halal, jhatka, or both.
In response to the NHRC’s observations, the Railway Board was requested to incorporate these concerns into its quality and standards framework. Additionally, the NHRC called upon the Ministry of Tourism to consider including provisions regarding the method of slaughter for non-vegetarian food in the classification and star ranking system for hotels. All concerned authorities have been given four weeks to respond to these directives.
