Passenger Dr Sachin Bodhani writes to Railway Minister questioning imposition of Halal meat on Hindu passengers
New Delhi – It has come to light that passengers on trains such as the Kamakhya–Howrah Vande Bharat Express and other IRCTC services are being served only Halal meat, with no jhatka alternative available.
In response, a passenger, Dr Sachin Bodhani, wrote to the Railway Minister demanding that a jhatka meat option be made available for Hindu passengers. However, the reply received from the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) appears vague and does not directly address the concern raised.
❓ Why is Halal meat being imposed on Hindus in Railways? – Dr. Sachin Bodhani
Railway Administration Gives Evasive Reply to Demand for Jhatka Meat Instead of Halal for Hindu Passengers!
⚖️ Since Halal is linked to a specific religious process, forcing it on Hindu passengers… pic.twitter.com/WtGSpc3nMy
— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) April 26, 2026
What did Dr Bodhani state in his letter?
In his letter, Dr Bodhani stated that the halal method is associated with a specific religious practice, and imposing it in public services could be seen as a violation of constitutional principles and the religious rights of Hindus.
He further emphasised that trains like Vande Bharat carry a significant number of Hindu passengers, and providing a jhatka option is a matter of choice and fairness.
IRCTC’s response and its gaps
In its reply, the Group General Manager of IRCTC stated that all food served to passengers complies with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations.
However, the response did not directly address the question of halal versus jhatka meat. Instead, it relied on a general statement about adherence to government food safety norms.
While the railway administration referred to food safety compliance, it did not specifically respond to concerns regarding religious preferences or the demand for alternative options. The reply has been viewed by some as insufficient in addressing the core issue raised by the passenger.