Syeda AB Jan
In the Valleys of Kashmir, a region renowned for its snow-capped peaks, spiritual serenity, and rich cultural heritage, the food on the table should embody the purity of its surroundings. Yet, for the majority Muslim population—comprising over 97% of the Kashmir Valley’s residents—this “Paradise on Earth” is increasingly tainted by a sinister reality: expired, diseased, and rotten meat smuggled from mainland India. This not only poses severe health risks but also violates core Islamic principles of consuming halal (lawful) and tayyib (pure, wholesome) food. As the Quran instructs in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:168): “O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” Ignoring such divine guidance turns meals into potential biohazards, undermining both physical and spiritual well-being.
Recent crackdowns reveal the scale of this crisis. In just one week in early August 2025, authorities seized and destroyed over 13,500 kilograms of rotten, unlabelled, and unsafe meat across Kashmir, including 1,200 kg from a cold storage in Srinagar’s Zakura industrial estate, 350 kg from another facility, and 600 kg in Anantnag. This follows a pattern of incidents, with over 2,500 kg confiscated in similar operations earlier, sparking widespread panic and outrage. The meat, often decomposed and packed without temperature controls, is smuggled in unrefrigerated trucks, turning traditional dishes like rogan josh and kebabs into vectors of disease.
The Stinking Trail
This illicit trade has deep roots, with reports dating back years but intensifying recently. The meat originates from cold storages and slaughterhouses in Delhi, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Ludhiana, Ambala, and other hubs in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. According to official inspections, expired or diseased meat—meant for destruction—is diverted using forged documents and transported via the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. In 2025 alone, multiple consignments have been intercepted, including dozens of unclaimed packages dumped roadside in Soura near SKIMS hospital, weighing around 1,000 kg.
The process is systematic: Meat from diseased animals or past expiration is repackaged as “fresh stock” and sold at discounted rates—often 20-30% below market—to local butchers, eateries, and restaurants. Food Safety Department data shows over 3,000 kg seized in a single week from Ganderbal, Pulwama, and Srinagar districts, much of it emitting foul odors and showing signs of decay. Experts link this to lax border checks at entry points like Lakhanpur, where trucks evade refrigeration verification. This mafia operates with impunity, exploiting Kashmir’s isolation and high demand for imported meat, as local production meets only 40-50% of needs.
A Buffet of Diseases
Consuming such meat isn’t mere discomfort—it’s a health catastrophe. Rotten flesh harbors bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and Clostridium perfringens, leading to food poisoning with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and fever. In Kashmir, where non-vegetarian meals are staples, this has fueled outbreaks; health officials report rising gastroenteritis cases, with inflammation of the stomach and intestines causing severe dehydration.
Worse, botulism from Clostridium botulinum can cause paralysis and death if untreated—rare but fatal, with a 5-10% mortality rate globally. Parasitic infections like tapeworms and Toxoplasma gondii damage organs, potentially leading to liver failure, brain issues, or blindness. Long-term, toxins like cadaverine and putrescine build up, harming the nervous system, kidneys, and liver. Experts warn of cancer risks, as adulterated meat may contain carcinogens; Kashmir’s cancer incidence is already high, with over 12,000 new cases annually at SKIMS alone, partly attributed to unsafe food. Recent seizures have heightened fears, with doctors noting increased dysentery and typhoid cases linked to contaminated imports.
For Muslims, this defies Quran 5:88: “And eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And fear Allah, in whom you are believers.” Eating impure food harms the body, a trust from Allah, as per Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:3), which prohibits dead meat and blood.
Who’s Eating It?
The victims are ordinary Kashmiris—families, children, and the elderly—who rely on affordable meat for daily sustenance and cultural feasts like wazwan, a multi-course meal central to Muslim weddings and gatherings. Restaurants and roadside stalls, cutting costs amid inflation, buy this cheap stock, masking rot with spices. Unaware consumers, trusting halal certifications, face betrayal. Muslim bodies have voiced alarm, noting violations of halal obligations, as rotten meat is neither lawful nor pure.
Where’s the Watchdog?
Enforcement is sporadic. While recent raids by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and police have led to fines and bookings, systemic gaps persist: no mandatory cold chain checks, easy forgery, and ignored whistleblowers. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has demanded accountability, calling it a “moral failing.” Despite seizures, the trade continues, with experts estimating thousands of tons slipping through annually.
A Moral Decay, Too
This crisis reflects deeper apathy toward Kashmir’s Muslim majority, treating them as a dumping ground for hazards. It echoes Quran 2:172: “O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah…” Profiting from harm contradicts Islamic ethics, inviting divine displeasure. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The halal is clear and the haram is clear,” yet this mafia blurs lines for greed.
Only through collective action can Kashmir reclaim its purity—on plates and in hearts.
BULRB
What Needs to Be Done?
1. Implement strict inspections: Every consignment must undergo physical freshness checks and documentation verification at borders.
2. Enforce cold chain protocols: Mandate refrigerated trucks with GPS tracking and random audits.
3. Boost public awareness: Educate on sourcing halal-tayyib meat, empowering consumers to question origins.
4. Strengthen laws: Impose harsher penalties, including jail for smugglers, and protect whistleblowers.
5. Religious introspection: Mosques and leaders should emphasize Quranic mandates on pure food to foster ethical trade.
