What is Malhar certification? All you need to know about Maharashtra's 'Hindu-only' meat initiative

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra minister, Nitesh Rane, on Monday launched a new initiative to register all jhatka mutton shops in the state under a certification called Malhar. He emphasised that these outlets would be exclusively operated by Hindus.
What is Malhar Certification?
Rane introduced Malhar Certification, a verification platform for jhatka meat suppliers, through the website MalharCertification.com.
Explaining the initiative, he stated, "Today we have taken an important step for the Hindu community from Maharashtra. This thought is being brought for the Hindu community through which Hindus will get access to mutton shops selling Jhatka mutton for Hindus."
Rane’s Appeal to the Public
Encouraging Hindus to buy meat only from certified vendors, Rane said, "This Malhar certification should be used more and more and Hindus should not buy mutton from shops without Malhar certification. This is what I appeal to people."
Malhar Certification Website
The official Malhar certification website describes itself as "a certified platform for Jhatka mutton and chicken vendors." It further mentions that the meat is prepared "according to Hindu religious traditions."
The platform highlights that meat sold under this certification is sourced from Hindu Khatik community vendors. "This meat is available exclusively through Hindu Khatik community vendors. Therefore, we encourage everyone to purchase mutton only from vendors certified by Malhar," the website states.
Additionally, it assures customers that the meat is "fresh, clean, free from saliva contamination and not mixed with any other animal meat."
Minister’s Announcement on Social Media
Rane, officially announced the launch of Malhar Certification on March 11, stating that the initiative aims to establish a network of mutton shops exclusively operated by members of the Hindu community. The certification promises to ensure access to adulteration-free meat from Hindu-owned establishments.
Sharing the initiative on social media platform X, Rane emphasized its significance for the Hindu community in Maharashtra. "Today we have taken a very important step for the Hindu community in Maharashtra. Malhar certification has been launched on this occasion," he wrote.
He further explained, "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."
Urging people to support the initiative, Rane appealed to the public to buy meat only from Malhar-certified establishments, stating that this would help financially empower Hindu youth.
"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," his post continued.