Srinagar, Aug 22, KNT: Kashmir’s chief cleric and Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday urged the authorities to come clean on the recent rotten meat scandal that has shaken public confidence across the Valley.
Addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, the Mirwaiz expressed deep concern over the scandal, which he said had created “widespread anxiety and shaken people’s trust” for more than two weeks.
Authorities had recently carried out raids at several locations, seizing and destroying large quantities of rotten and adulterated meat under the Food Safety and Standards Act. However, the Mirwaiz noted that despite public assurances of a thorough investigation, little has been revealed so far.
“People need to know who the culprits are, how long this racket has been going on, and whether any arrests have been made. All this must be put in the public domain to address public concern and anxiety,” he said.
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He added that once the facts are made clear, it is imperative for the administration to establish a foolproof mechanism to prevent such incidents in the future. “There should be no leniency whatsoever with those involved in this heinous act that puts people’s health and lives at grave risk,” he stressed.
The Mirwaiz further said Kashmir needs regulated slaughterhouses where proper hygiene, Islamic guidelines, and food safety measures are strictly implemented. “Both the government and the business community must gear up to establish such facilities. People cannot blindly trust what comes from outside without scrutiny,” he remarked.
He informed the congregation that the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), an amalgam of several religious organisations, held a meeting on Thursday and constituted a seven-member committee comprising jurists from all schools of thought to deliberate on the issue. The MMU’s existing Halal Certification Board will also be expanded and strengthened to ensure compliance with Islamic standards.
“The MMU is fully willing to cooperate with the government to preserve the Islamic character of halal food and safeguard the health and trust of our people,” Mirwaiz said. [KNT]
