Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane has expressed his support for the Malhar certification as an alternative to Halal mutton for Hindus. He stated that Halal food is linked to Islamic practices and is not part of Hindu traditions.

"The workers following Hindutva ideology have come together and brought a good alternative to Mutton for the Hindu society for their rights. It has been forced for years that only Halal mutton should be eaten. Either eat Halal, or you have no other alternative. We have brought a good alternative for it. Eating Halal is not written in Hindu religion, it is written in Islam religion. Therefore, if someone is bringing a good alternative like this, then I am supporting them," Rane said on Tuesday. 

Meanwhile, opposition leaders criticised Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane's remarks on the "Malhar certification" for Hindu meat vendors on Tuesday. Congress MLA Nana Patole, while speaking to ANI, stated that a Minister should not make such remarks. "A minister cannot talk like this. It gives a message that the Chief Minister has no control over his ministers. If any minister is inciting a fight between two religions, then the CM should take action," he said.

BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay backed Nitesh Rane's statement, claiming that the chemicals released during the 'Halal' process are harmful to the body.

"I don't have any issues regarding who is eating what but if someone is being fed something in a wrong way, then it should be objected...the chemicals that are produced during 'Halal' are harmful for our body...I support Nitesh Rane in this case...chicken and mutton shop should have licence," Upadhyay said.

Nitish Rane, the Minister of Fisheries and Port Development in Maharashtra, introduced the "Malhar certification" for Hindu meat vendors on Monday. This certification will facilitate access to "rightful mutton shops" with a "100 per cent Hindu community" and free of adulteration, according to Rane. Taking to social media X, Rane wrote, "Today we have taken a very important step for the Hindu community in Maharashtra. http://malharcertification.com has been launched on this occasion."

"Through Malhar Certification, we will have access to our rightful mutton shops and there will be a 100 per cent Hindu community and the person selling will also be a Hindu. No adulteration will be found in the mutton anywhere," he added. Rane urged people to purchase mutton only from certified sources and avoid places without certification. He added that this initiative would help improve the financial stability of the community's 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," the post further read.