Kolhapur (Maharashtra) - It has come to light that some products of the well-known Kolhapur District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union, popularly known as "Gokul," have obtained Halal certification.
This certification has reportedly been taken for Gokul's ghee, butter, and milk powder products. A copy of the certificate has been circulated on social media, showing that it was issued on 19 March 2025 and is valid until 18 March 2028. Strong anger is being expressed over this by ordinary Hindu consumers and devout Hindu organisations.
Certification taken for exports to Gulf countries: Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif
Responding to journalists on this matter, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif said, "This certification was actually obtained in 2022 itself. It is a technical and quality standard required for international trade. Gokul's ghee, butter, and milk powder are sold in large quantities in Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, and Syria. According to the trade regulations of these countries, food products cannot be sold there without Halal certification; therefore, this certification was obtained." (Why are products certified for Gulf exports being sold in India as well? Hasan Mushrif should answer this. - Editor)
People on social media are asking, "Why is Halal certification necessary for purely vegetarian dairy products?" Opposition groups are alleging that this decision was taken while Naved Mushrif, son of Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, is serving as the chairman of Gokul. (When official Indian government bodies such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and the Food and Drug Administration already certify products, what is the need for separate Halal certification? The money earned through this is being used to provide legal aid to terrorists. Another objective is to ensure that money spent in various places benefits only Muslims or Islamic countries. Therefore, many Hindus believe that a milk producers' union like Gokul, which largely represents Hindu dairy farmers, should not obtain such certification. - Editor)
What is Halal certification?
According to Islam, "Halal" means that which is permissible. Earlier, Halal was limited only to meat products; however, now, because religious fanatics want to create a separate economic system, various products and services such as housing, medicines, cosmetics, and others are also required to obtain Halal certification - meaning they are certified according to Islamic principles. Some Islamic organisations are engaged in issuing such certifications. Certificates approved by them are called "Halal certificates." This is a conspiracy devised through Halal certification to establish a parallel Islamic economy and weaken the existing economic system.