Maharashtra Minister's 'Malhar Certificate' For Meat Shops Move Sparks Political Row

Last Updated:March 12, 2025, 11:43 IST

According to Nitesh Rane, Hindu shopkeepers selling jhatka mutton will receive this certificate, and he has urged Hindu consumers to buy mutton only from certified shops.

While the BJP-led Maharashtra government has not officially backed the certification proposed by Nitesh Rane, opposition parties have strongly condemned it. (Image: PTI)

Maharashtra’s political circles are abuzz with controversy after Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane proposed to introduce the Malhar Certification system for mutton shops. According to Rane, Hindu shopkeepers selling jhatka mutton will receive this certificate, and he has urged Hindu consumers to buy mutton only from certified shops. The minister claims that this initiative will ensure purity and authenticity, but his move has sparked sharp political reactions across party lines. While the BJP-led Maharashtra government has not officially backed the certification, opposition parties have strongly condemned it, and even some leaders from the ruling alliance have distanced themselves from Rane’s initiative. The controversy has raised concerns about communal polarisation and government involvement in food choices, adding another layer to Maharashtra’s already heated political climate.

The Ajit Pawar-led NCP, a key ally in the Mahayuti government, has not supported Rane’s move. NCP MLC Amol Mitkari made it clear that this was Rane’s personal initiative and not the government’s. “Nitesh Rane is now a minister, but these are his individual thoughts. Our ideology is based on the teachings of Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar, and we will continue to follow that," he stated, dismissing any association with the certification. NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Rohit Pawar also raised questions about the legitimacy of the Malhar Certification. “If this is an official government scheme, why didn’t the Chief Minister launch it? Who exactly owns this certification company," he asked, hinting at possible private interests behind the initiative.

The opposition has strongly condemned Rane’s proposal, calling it an attempt to communalise food choices. Senior NCP leader Jitendra Awhad criticised the move, warning that it could create social disharmony. “Since childhood, we have been eating mutton without asking about the shopkeeper’s religion. Now, the minister wants to bring rivalry into people’s food habits," he said. However, Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh took a more neutral stance. “This is the first time Nitesh Rane has supported giving people a choice. If someone wants Malhar mutton, they can have it. But Rane must clarify whether the government officially supports this initiative," he said.

While some BJP allies have distanced themselves from the certification, others have defended it. Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MP Naresh Mhaske stated that Rane had done nothing wrong. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Ram Kadam dismissed the criticism, arguing that the controversy was being unnecessarily politicised. “People should have the freedom to choose what they eat. The opposition is trying to create an issue where there is none," he said.

Despite the backlash, Nitesh Rane has stood firm on his decision. He claimed that the Malhar Certification would eliminate adulteration and ensure hygiene. “There have been instances where people have spat into the meat. This will no longer happen. Hindus should buy mutton only from shops with Malhar Certification," he urged.

As debates over food choices, religious identity, and political motives intensify, it remains unclear whether the Maharashtra government will officially endorse or regulate the Malhar Certification. With elections approaching, this issue could become a major political flashpoint, shaping the narrative of communal and cultural politics in the state.

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