Controversy erupts over Malhar certification for mutton shops in Maharashtra

Maharashtra's political landscape is witnessing a new controversy after Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane proposed introducing the Malhar certification system for mutton shops. This initiative, aimed at certifying Hindu shopkeepers selling jhatka mutton, has stirred strong political reactions and sparked debates on food choices and communal harmony.

Minister Rane has advocated that Hindu consumers should purchase mutton only from certified shops, claiming that the move would ensure purity and authenticity. However, his proposal has not found formal support from the BJP-led Maharashtra government, and opposition parties have vehemently opposed the initiative.

Even some leaders from the ruling alliance have distanced themselves from Rane’s proposition, raising concerns about the potential communal polarisation it could trigger.

The Ajit Pawar-led NCP, a significant ally in the ruling Mahayuti government, has made it clear that the certification proposal is not an official policy. NCP MLC Amol Mitkari categorically stated that Rane's stance reflects his personal views and not the government’s position. Emphasising the party’s ideology rooted in the teachings of social reformers Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar, Mitkari distanced the NCP from the certification initiative.

Adding to the chorus of criticism, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Rohit Pawar questioned the credibility of the Malhar Certification itself. He raised doubts about the private interests behind the initiative, wondering why former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had not launched it duringhis tenure if it were an official scheme.

The opposition has also denounced the move as an attempt to divide communities along food preferences. Senior NCP leader Jitendra Awhad warned that the certification could disrupt social harmony by creating unnecessary rivalry based on religious identity in food choices.

While most political voices have condemned the certification, some have taken a neutral stance. Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh remarked that it was the first instance of Rane advocating consumer choice. He, however, urged the minister to clarify whether the certification had official government backing.

On the other hand, some BJP allies have defended Rane’s decision. Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MP Naresh Mhaske asserted that there was nothing wrong with the proposal, while BJP MLA Ram Kadam dismissed the uproar as a politically motivated controversy, arguing that people should have the right to choose what they eat.

Unfazed by the backlash, Nitesh Rane remained steadfast in defending the Malhar Certification, claiming it would curb adulteration and maintain hygiene. He highlighted past instances of food contamination as justification for the certification, insisting that Hindus should buy mutton exclusively from shops bearing the Malhar mark.

As Maharashtra inches closer to the upcoming elections, the controversy over Malhar Certification could emerge as a significant political flashpoint. With debates intensifying around communal identity and government involvement in food practices, it remains to be seen whether the state government will officially endorse the certification or distance itself from the contentious initiative.