The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised serious concerns about the Indian Railways’ practice of offering only halal-certified meat to passengers on its trains, stating that the arrangement appears, at first glance, to violate fundamental human rights. Taking cognisance of a complaint submitted to the Commission, an NHRC bench led by member Priyank Kanoongo observed that limiting non-vegetarian meals exclusively to halal meat not only restricts passenger choice but may also have wider social and constitutional implications.
According to the complaint, passengers who do not consume halal meat—particularly many Hindu and Sikh travellers who may prefer jhatka or other non-halal preparations are effectively deprived of meal options that align with their cultural and religious beliefs. The complainant argued that this deprives them of equal access to public services and infringes on their rights to equality, non-discrimination, personal liberty, freedom of profession, and freedom of religion, as enshrined under Articles 14, 15, 21, 19(1)(g) and 25 of the Constitution.
The NHRC also acknowledged concerns about the economic impact of the practice. By standardising the procurement of halal-certified meat, the Railways may be sidelining non-halal meat producers, many of whom belong to Scheduled Caste Hindu communities and depend on the trade for their livelihood. The Commission noted that such exclusion, if occurring on a systemic scale, could amount to an indirect violation of the right to livelihood and equal opportunity.
Taking action under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the NHRC issued a notice to the Chairman of the Railway Board, asking for a detailed Action Taken Report within two weeks. The report is expected to outline the Railways’ current policy on food procurement, clarify why only halal meat is being supplied, and state whether alternative options could be made available to ensure that passengers of all faiths and dietary practices are accommodated.
The Commission’s intervention brings renewed attention to long-standing debates over food choice, religious accommodation, and state neutrality in public services. The Railways will now have to justify its policy or propose changes that align with constitutional principles while balancing logistical and commercial considerations.
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