By: Dr. Rameez Ahmad
In recent weeks, Kashmir has witnessed a disturbing scandal — hundreds of quintals of rotten, substandard meat seized from every district, along with expired fish, ready-made kebabs, and ristas stored for sale. Raids by the Food Department have revealed more than unhygienic practices; they have exposed a dangerous erosion of ethics, health safeguards, and public trust. Islam is a comprehensive way of life, guiding us in every matter — including the ethics of food and health. Health is among the greatest assets Allah has given us. The Qur’an commands: “O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good…” (Qur’an 2:168) and “…Eat of the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah…” (Qur’an 2:172). Halal in Islam is not just about lawful slaughter — it also means tayyib, pure and wholesome. The Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) said: “Whoever deceives us is not one of us.” (Sahih Muslim)
But does “halal” mean we should consume everything in the market without question? Allah gave us intellect so we could think and verify. In today’s materialistic and capitalist world, as Karl Marx observed, “Profit is everything,” and religion, to some, becomes “false consciousness” — a mere tool to attract customers. As the saying goes, “In business, there is no religion.”
The public reaction to this scandal has been strong. One Sikh colleague — a teacher from Baramulla — shared his perspective: “Unity is strength; let’s build a self-reliant India. We must boycott foreign food chains like Coca-Cola, KFC, King Burger, Domino’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, and the like. We Kashmiris must prefer local vegetarian and homemade foods.”
Another resident from Baramulla warned: “Who knows where these frozen meat-loaded buses come from? There are no proper checks or accountability. They may include dead animals — dogs, buffaloes, chickens, even pigs — as some experts and social activists like Gulzar Anjum sahib from Srinagar have revealed on live social media broadcasts like Kashmir Youth Power. It’s best to avoid ready-made fast foods and stick to local verified sources.”
A Kashmiri scholar — a doctorate in political science — added: “It seems we are living in a state of mess — a Hobbesian ‘State of Nature’ where, as Hobbes described, man’s life is ‘short, solitary, poor, nasty and brutish.’ If individuals can be tempted to compromise ethics for personal gain, what excuse do the state, government, and concerned authorities have? This is not just negligence — it is a breach of trust and misuse of office. In such cases, the real culprits are often those tasked with ensuring public safety.”
A third respondent expressed deep hurt: “It’s a breach of trust. We take our families to hotels and restaurants for food, and our own people are poisoning us. This is why cancer and other diseases are rising, and hospitals are overflowing in Kashmir. The culprits must face strict action.”
These concerns have been echoed at the highest religious and professional levels. The Grand Mufti of Kashmir, speaking live on Kashmir Youth Power, demanded that the guilty be booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and that FIRs be filed against them. Doctors too have been issuing consistent warnings. For example, few days ago in an exclusive interview with News Insider 24×7, leading physician Dr. Obaid Zafer advised: “Avoid market foods and use homemade products — these are two simple rules to stay healthy.” He cautioned that chocolates, cream biscuits, and packaged juices pose serious health risks to children, urging parents to be more vigilant about what their families consume.
These voices point to an important solution: support and consume only local, verified halal brands. Islam values agricultural self-reliance — producing for ourselves what we consume, and serving others with honesty. This is not only economically wise, it is spiritually blessed. Other nations have learned this lesson well. Israel, for example, dominates global markets in various sectors, yet within its own borders it promotes and consumes locally produced food. The famous kibbutz agricultural settlements are a testament to the power of self-reliance.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the noblest of mankind (Khairul Bashr), loved and trusted his wife Hazrat Aisha (RA), who was herself a great scholar. Yet, even with such trust, he would inquire about every eatable in their home — asking where it came from and whether it was halal. This shows that verifying our food’s source is a personal obligation (fard al-‘ayn). If we do not even inquire about the food in our own homes, how can we expect vigilance in the market? Rotten meat scandals are not just failures of governance; they are failures of individual responsibility.
The way forward is clear: strict enforcement of laws by cancelling licenses of offenders, not just fining them; unannounced and frequent inspections; transparency by publicly naming violators to warn consumers; prioritising local verified halal producers; and creating public awareness so families question, verify, and avoid blind trust. The Qur’an warns: “…And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.” (Qur’an 4:29) Societal anger may fade with time, but the lesson must remain: protect your health, protect your family, protect your faith. Anything less is to risk both body and soul.
This should be our collective call to conscience — for traders, suppliers, and regulators alike. From food to medicines, from oils to spices, nothing that enters our kitchens or pharmacies should be impure or unsafe. If we fail now, we fail not only in governance but in our duty to protect the future of Kashmir
Dr. Rameez Ahmad is an independent Scholar, author & former Senior Research Fellow in Sociology from Aligarh Muslim University. He can be reached at; rameezln777@gmail.com
