Maharashtra’s minister for port development, Nitesh Rane, has once again managed to make headlines for all the wrong reasons. His latest initiative, the Malhar certification programme, is yet another attempt to inject religious division into everyday life, this time targeting the meat industry. Under this scheme, only Hindu butchers from the Khatik community will be allowed to register and sell meat certified as “Jhatka,” a method of slaughter in which the animal is killed with a single strike. This move is not just unnecessary but also unconstitutional, as it discriminates against Muslims, Christians, and even Hindus from other castes. The premise of this certification is flawed at multiple levels. Rane claims that Hindus and Sikhs prefer jhatka meat, though there is no conclusive evidence to support this. In reality, most consumers do not distinguish between jhatka and halal meat once it is cut and prepared for sale. Furthermore, when cooked, it is impossible to tell the difference between the two. The idea that a religious identity should determine who can sell a particular type of meat is absurd and goes against the fundamental principles of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equal opportunity for all citizens regardless of caste or religion.

Rane’s justification for this initiative — pointing to Air India’s decision to stop serving halal meat — falls flat. The airline, in fact, provides different kinds of meals to suit the dietary conveniences of its Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Jain and Oriental passengers. The majority of Indians are non-vegetarians, and imposing religion-based food restrictions only alienates consumers rather than serving any genuine purpose. The Malhar certification does not address any real consumer demand; rather, it is a thinly veiled attempt to create unnecessary religious divisions in society. The larger concern is the pattern of religious discrimination that such actions reinforce. The recent Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh saw Muslim vendors being prevented from selling even bottled water and biscuits by police and Hindu vigilante groups. These incidents are alarming signs of a growing trend where economic activities are being dictated by religious identities. If such exclusionary policies continue, they will only serve to weaken the social fabric of the nation and create unnecessary tensions among various communities.

It is particularly disturbing that a minister whose primary responsibility is the development and management of ports is, instead, investing his time in divisive politics. Maharashtra has pressing issues — economic development, employment generation, and infrastructure improvement — that need urgent attention. Instead of focusing on these real challenges, Rane is busy pushing an agenda that fosters religious polarisation. In a country as diverse as India, such actions do not serve the interests of the people; they only serve the interests of those looking to exploit divisions for political gains.