Campaigns for jhatka over halaal meat shops in Bijpur, Durgapur
Times of India | 16 July 2026
Kolkata/Durgapur: Bijpur’s BJP MLA Sudipta Das has announced a cash reward of Rs 10,000 for anyone who opens a “jhatka” meat shop in the constituency, saying the initiative is aimed at catering to the preferences of Bengali meat lovers. His supporters have put up posters, publicising the offer and inviting people to open jhatka meat shops in Bijpur. The announcement was also made through a video message posted on social media.
The MLA said some consumers are reluctant to buy halaal mutton and prefer jhatka meat, in which the animal is slaughtered with a single stroke, unlike the halaal method.
“I consider myself a secular person. But most shops here sell meat slaughtered through the halaal method. Hindu Bengalis generally prefer jhatka meat. There should be shops offering both methods so that consumers have a choice,” Das said.
He said the Rs 10,000 incentive would come from his personal funds and would be available to both those opening new jhatka meat shops and existing butchers who switch to the jhatka method.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of a campaign by the Hindu Jagran Manch’s Dharma Chakra in Durgapur on Sunday, urging meat sellers to display signboards indicating whether they sell halaal or jhatka meat. The activists visited meat, chicken and other food shops from Bhiringi More to Benachity Market, appealing to owners to voluntarily put up signboards specifying the type of meat sold. Dharma Chakra activist Dip Das said the initiative was launched after some consumers expressed uncertainty over whether they were buying halaal or jhatka meat.