Maharashtra: Nitesh Rane Launches ‘Malhar Certification’ for Hindu Butchers

Maharashtra, March 10: Fisheries and Port Development Minister, Nitesh Rane, has announced a new initiative to register all jhatka mutton shops under the Malhar Certification. He emphasised that these shops will be run exclusively by Hindus.

Taking to social media platform X, Rane shared the details about the initiative. In the post he stated that MalharCertification.com will serve as a platform for certified jhatka meat vendors from the Hindu Khatik community. He also urged the people of Maharashtra to purchase meat only from shops bearing the Malhar Certification and avoid those without it.

Opportunities for Hindu youth

Rane further compared the new initiative to the existing halal certification which ensures meat preparation according to Islamic law. He highlighted that jhatka meat is prepared by slaughtering animals with a single, swift blow, which is considered a painless method. The minister claimed this initiative would not only provide consumers with access to “pure and uncontaminated” meat but also create financial opportunities for Hindu youth in the meat business.

What does the Malhar website Say?

According to the Malhar website, “Malhar is a certified platform for Jhatka mutton and chicken vendors. It ensures that goat and sheep meat, sacrificed according to Hindu religious traditions, is fresh, clean, free from saliva contamination, and not mixed with any other animal meat. This meat is available exclusively through Hindu Khatik community vendors. Therefore, we encourage everyone to purchase mutton only from vendors certified by Malhar.”

However, Rane’s appeal to boycott shops without Malhar certification has sparked controversy in the state. Critics argue that it promotes religious divisions in trade. However, supporters believe it will provide economic benefits to Hindu butchers and cater to consumers who prefer jhatka meat.

Nitesh Rane’s X Post

Rane in a post on X wrote, “Today we have taken a very important step for the Hindu community in Maharashtra. Malhar Certification.com ( http://malharcertification.com ) has been launched on this occasion. Through Malhar Certification, we will have access to our rightful mutton shops and there will be a 100 percent Hindu community and the person selling will also be a Hindu. No adulteration will be found in the mutton anywhere.”

आज मल्हार सर्टिफाइड झटका मांस

आज आम्ही महाराष्ट्रातल्या हिंदू समाजासाठी अतिशय महत्त्वाचे पाऊल उचलले आहे. मल्हार सर्टिफिकेशन डॉट कॉम(https://t.co/fQAwGvAdca) या निमित्ताने सुरू झालेलं आहे. मल्हार सर्टिफिकेशनच्या माध्यमातून आपल्याला आपल्या हक्काची मटण दुकानं उपलब्ध होतील व १००… pic.twitter.com/u0zdi2rjBt

— Nitesh Rane (@NiteshNRane) March 10, 2025

He further wrote, ”I appeal to you to use Malhar certification as much as possible and in fact, not to buy mutton from places where Malhar certification is not available. These efforts will definitely make the youth of the Hindu community financially empowered”.

Meanwhile, the new initiative is expected to trigger further debates, especially as Maharashtra has witnessed past controversies over meat regulations and religious-based certification systems. In November last year, Air India also switched to non-Halal food for Hindu and Sikh passengers.