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New Delhi: Low-cost airline IndiGo, facing a crisis due to intensifying differences between its co-founders, is now mired in another controversy over the meat it serves on its flights.

A Twitter campaign was initiated earlier this week, calling for boycott of IndiGo for serving halal meat on flights.

The menu of IndiGo airline says, “All the non-vegetarian snacks are certified halal on all flights.” The airline has been serving halal meat for a long time now, but it became an issue for some passengers only now.

Many Twitter users said IndiGo has hurt the sentiments of Hindus and Sikhs by serving halal meat and not providing them with other meat options.

‘Halal meat is anathema to Sikhs & Hindus’

One of the tweets said, “Stop serving #Halal food. Else, you will face boycott from Hindus. I am a regular passenger of #Indigo. But now I am seriously re-thinking.”

@IndiGo6E Stop serving #Halal food. Else, you will face boycott from Hindus. I am a regular passenger of #Indigo. But now I am seriously re-thinking. https://t.co/8VNGsBIoMD — हिन्दव:सोदरा:सर्वे(Ambedkar Ramanujar)ரமேஷ் ஹிந்து (@ramesh70chennai) July 6, 2019

“Stop @IndiGo6E Airlines discrimination against Sikhs & Hindu passengers in India & abroad. Non-Veg Food served on Indigo Airlines is Halal Meat. See attached menu card of Indigo. Halal Meat is cruel & anathema to #Sikhs & #Hindus. Indigo must instantly stop using Halal products,” said another tweet.

Stop @IndiGo6E Airlines discrimination against Sikhs & Hindu passengers in India & abroad. Non-Veg Food served on Indigo Airlines is Halal Meat. See attached menu card of Indigo Halal Meat is cruel & anathema to #Sikhs & #Hindus Indigo must instantly stop using Halal products pic.twitter.com/LXQ8VfhwGk — Devdutta Maji (@MajiDevDutta) July 5, 2019

Yet another tweet tagging Minister of State for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri said, “Sir do you as a minister support this imposition on the right of Sikh and Hindu non-vegetarians? How can they be forced to eat such meat?”

@HardeepSPuri Sir do you as a minister support this imposition on the right of Sikh and Hindu non-vegetarians? How can they be forced to eat such meats? — Manish Jain (@jainmani21) July 6, 2019

A user hoped the aviation ministry would look into the matter. “Stop flying Indigo until it stops forcing religious foods in our throat. I hope the ministry will look into it.”

Stop flying Indgo until it stops forcing religious foods in our throat.. I hope ministry will look into it..@MoCA_GoI @PMOIndia — Khatta Mitha 🙏🙏 (@KhattaMitha1) July 7, 2019

Under the hashtag, #IndigoforHalal, one of the tweets said, “Serving halal to a Hindu is a crime committed by these corporates against unsuspecting Hindus. This is anti Hindu practise.”

https://twitter.com/FriendBuzzer/status/1148205715279867906?s=20

What is halal meat?

‘Halal’ is Arabic for permissible. Halal food is that which adheres to Islamic law.

The Islamic form of slaughtering animals or poultry involves killing through a cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery and windpipe.

According to Islamic law, animals must be alive and healthy at the time of slaughter and all blood is drained from the carcass. During the process, a Muslim will recite a dedication.

In contrast, in the jhatka way of slaughter, the animal’s head is severed in one single blow and it dies instantly.

Also read: Not just New Zealand, Muslims must come together when terrorists attack non-Muslims too

SpiceJet, Vistara also serve halal meat

IndiGo is not the only airline that serves halal meat, SpiceJet’s menu also says that all non-vegetarian meals are halal-certified on all flights.

Even Vistara airlines’ menu clearly states: “Our inflight non-vegetarian meals are strictly halal.”

ThePrint contacted IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara and GoAir, but all of them refused to comment.

Sudhakara Reddy, President of Air passengers Association, said, “I think halal doesn’t hurt the sentiments of the people as it only facilitates Muslims to have meat products at any place let alone airlines.”

Also read: Halal internet? Islamic browser SalamWeb promises better web experience for Muslims

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