UP CM Yogi Adityanath Calls Halal Certification “Greatest Attack on Sanatan Dharma”

Lucknow – In a speech laced with religious and political controversy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ignited fresh outrage by calling Halal certification “the greatest attack on Sanatan Dharma,” a term used to refer to Hinduism. The remarks, delivered during the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Gorakhpur, have drawn widespread criticism for promoting anti-Muslim rhetoric and deepening religious divides in India’s most populous state.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Adityanath alleged that funds generated through Halal-certified products were being used to “finance terrorism, love jihad, and religious conversions”, though he provided no evidence to support the serious accusations.

“When purchasing any item, check if it has a Halal certification label. We have banned it in Uttar Pradesh. Today, no one in Uttar Pradesh will dare to buy or sell it,” the Chief Minister declared, encouraging people to boycott Halal products.

These remarks have been condemned by analysts, activists, and members of the opposition, who say the BJP leader is using Islamophobic narratives to further a divisive political agenda. Critics argue that Halal certification, a globally recognized system used to ensure food products are permissible under Islamic law, is being wrongly portrayed as a threat in order to stoke communal tensions.

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Adityanath further escalated his rhetoric by linking Halal certification to “political Islam,” claiming that the historical fight against Islamic rule in India is often ignored in favor of focusing on British or French colonialism. “Our ancestors fought against this threat, but it is hardly discussed now,” he said, implying that Islam itself poses a continuing threat to India’s cultural and demographic balance.

Observers warn that this dangerous conflation of religious practices with extremism fuels hatred and marginalization of India’s Muslim community, which has already been facing increased targeting under the BJP-led governments at both state and federal levels.

The Uttar Pradesh government had earlier announced restrictions on Halal certification, drawing criticism from legal experts and business stakeholders who argue that such bans are not only unconstitutional but also harmful to trade and religious freedom.

This latest speech marks another escalation in Hindutva-driven narratives, which critics say are being weaponized ahead of upcoming elections to polarize voters along religious lines. Human rights organizations and opposition leaders are calling for accountability and urging India’s democratic institutions to act against hate speech and religious discrimination.