Rotten Meat Scandal in Kashmir: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Demands Transparency & Accountability

Rotten Meat Scandal in Kashmir: Mirwaiz Demands Transparency

By: Javid Amin | 22 Aug 2025

A Crisis of Trust in Kashmir’s Food System

Food is not just nourishment in Kashmir—it is culture, faith, and identity. From the traditional wazwan to everyday meals, meat holds a central place in the Kashmiri kitchen. However, the recent rotten meat scandal in Kashmir has sent shockwaves across the valley, exposing loopholes in food safety, governance, and accountability.

When authorities seized quintals of decayed meat from Srinagar’s outskirts in late July, it wasn’t just a case of adulteration—it was a betrayal of public trust. The scandal has since escalated, with over 12,000 kilograms of unsafe meat confiscated in subsequent raids.

Religious, social, and political leaders have spoken out, but it was Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Kashmir’s prominent cleric and Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), who gave the issue its moral and spiritual weight. In his Friday sermon at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz demanded full transparency, accountability, and systemic reforms.

This article dives deep into the scandal—what happened, why it matters, the government’s response, and why Mirwaiz’s intervention has reignited the debate on food security, faith, and governance in Kashmir.

What Happened? The Rotten Meat Scandal Explained

The Shocking Discovery at Zakoora

On July 31, the Food Safety Department of Jammu & Kashmir carried out a raid at the Zakoora industrial estate on Srinagar’s outskirts. What they found was chilling:

• Quintals of decayed and foul-smelling meat stored in unhygienic conditions.

• Lack of cold-chain storage facilities, meaning the meat had likely been rotting for days.

• Unlabelled packaging, raising questions about traceability and origin.

• Discovery of synthetic colouring agents in processed items like kebabs and sausages.

This was not a small-time local butcher’s mistake—it was evidence of an organized supply chain of adulterated meat, endangering thousands of consumers.

Valley-Wide Crackdown

Following the Zakoora discovery, raids spread across the valley. In just two weeks, authorities seized:

• 12,000+ kilograms of rotten or adulterated meat.

• Dozens of unlicensed slaughter points.

• Meat transported without proper veterinary clearance.

The scandal revealed that large quantities of meat had been stored for long durations without refrigeration, often recycled, reprocessed, and sold in Srinagar markets.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s Intervention: Why It Matters

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is not just a religious cleric—he is a moral voice of Kashmir, often speaking on issues of justice, rights, and ethics. His decision to highlight the rotten meat scandal in his Friday sermon transformed it from a regulatory issue into a public movement for accountability.

Mirwaiz’s Key Demands

1. Full Disclosure of Facts

   • Who are the people behind this organized racket?

   • How long has this malpractice been going on?

   • Have arrests been made and cases registered?

   • What is the role of regulatory officials—was there negligence or complicity?

   Mirwaiz stressed that unless these questions are answered, public trust will not be restored.

2. Zero Tolerance for Offenders

   • Mirwaiz called for strict legal action against all involved.

   • He emphasized that this is not just a health issue but a crime against society and faith.

3. Structural Food Safety Reforms

   • Establishing regulated local slaughterhouses with hygiene and veterinary supervision.

   • Implementation of Islamic guidelines (Halal standards) to ensure both safety and faith compliance.

4. Halal Oversight

   • The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), an umbrella body of Muslim scholars in Kashmir, announced a seven-member committee.

   • The committee’s task: strengthen Halal Certification, monitor standards, and expand its role in consumer protection.

Why Mirwaiz’s Role is Crucial

In Kashmir, where faith deeply influences consumer choices, the voice of Mirwaiz adds moral legitimacy. His intervention reframes the scandal not only as a governance failure but also as a spiritual and ethical violation.

Government’s Response: Steps Taken So Far

Crackdown by Food Safety & Drug Control

The Drug & Food Control Organisation (DFCO) and Food Safety Department launched extensive inspections:

• Raids on cold storage units and meat shops.

• Ban on packaged meat without proper labeling.

• Surprise checks at Srinagar markets.

Omar Abdullah’s Directives

The then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah responded with a multi-pronged strategy:

• Establishing check posts at entry points to screen meat imports.

• Setting up food testing laboratories for real-time checks.

• Promising criminal proceedings against violators.

Gaps in Implementation

While the measures sound robust, questions remain:

• Are inspections sustained, or just temporary crackdowns?

• Will smaller traders and butchers bear the brunt while big suppliers escape accountability?

• How effective will check posts be in curbing an organized supply chain?

Why Meat Matters in Kashmir: The Cultural and Economic Angle

To understand why this scandal has rattled Kashmir, one must understand the central role of meat in Kashmiri life.

• Culinary Tradition: The Kashmiri wazwan—a 36-course feast—is built almost entirely on mutton dishes.

• Daily Diet: Unlike many parts of India, meat is a daily staple in Kashmir, not an occasional luxury.

• Economic Lifeline: Thousands of butchers, traders, transporters, and cold storage operators depend on the meat supply chain.

Thus, the rotten meat scandal is not just a food safety issue—it is a direct attack on culture, economy, and faith.

Accountability & Ethics: The Larger Questions

The scandal has triggered a debate on:

• Food Security: If rotten meat can flood markets, what about milk, poultry, or vegetables?

• Governance: Were officials complicit, negligent, or simply outsmarted by a corrupt network?

• Faith & Halal: In an Islamic society, selling rotten or haram meat is not just illegal—it is religiously forbidden.

• Consumer Awareness: How much do Kashmiri consumers know about food labeling, storage, and halal certification?

Rotten Meat Scandals Worldwide: Lessons for Kashmir

Food scandals are not unique to Kashmir. Across the world:

• China (2014): McDonald’s and KFC suppliers caught selling expired meat.

• Brazil (2017): “Operation Weak Flesh” exposed rotten meat exports disguised with chemicals.

• India (various states): Cases of adulterated milk, synthetic paneer, and unhygienic slaughterhouses.

These cases show that the problem is systemic corruption + weak regulation. The lesson: Kashmir must move beyond raids to institutional reforms.

What Needs to Be Done: Roadmap for Reform

1. Transparent Investigations

   • Names of suppliers, traders, and complicit officials must be made public.

   • Court-monitored probes could restore trust.

2. Modern Slaughterhouses

   • Hygienic, regulated abattoirs under veterinary supervision.

   • Cold-chain infrastructure to maintain freshness.

3. Halal Certification Reform

   • Independent halal certification with clear labeling.

   • Regular audits by religious and food safety authorities.

4. Consumer Awareness

   • Public campaigns on food safety, labeling, and halal standards.

   • Use of social media to spread awareness.

5. Strict Penalties

   • Heavy fines, license cancellation, and jail terms for offenders.

   • Accountability of government officials failing to enforce laws.

Social & Political Reactions

• Public Anger: Kashmiris expressed outrage on social media, calling it a betrayal of trust.

• Political Divide: Opposition parties accused the government of inefficiency and negligence.

• Religious Bodies: Scholars framed the issue as a moral crime, urging unity in demanding reforms.

Bottom-Line: Beyond Rotten Meat—Restoring Trust in Kashmir’s Food System

The rotten meat scandal in Kashmir is not just about spoiled food—it is about systemic rot in governance, regulation, and ethics. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s intervention has amplified public demand for transparency and reform, making it harder for authorities to brush the matter under the carpet.

For Kashmir, where meat is culture, faith, and economy, the scandal is a wake-up call. Unless the government ensures accountability, modern food safety infrastructure, and religiously compliant halal oversight, such crises will keep returning.

The people of Kashmir deserve not just safe meat but a trustworthy food system—one that respects health, faith, and dignity.