GURUGRAM- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) announced it will stop providing halal certified non-vegetarian meals for Hindu and Sikh passengers. However, travelers can still pre-book a “Muslim Meal” (MOML), which will remain halal-certified.
This policy, announced on Sunday, November 10, marks a significant change in Air India’s meal service, aiming to accommodate the dietary preferences of its diverse passenger base.
Air India Halal Meal Changes
The decision follows years of campaigns against the mandatory provision of halal meals, often criticized as insensitive to the religious preferences of Hindu and Sikh passengers.
The new policy introduces non-halal non-vegetarian options, addressing the demand for alternatives among different faith groups.
The airline’s previous categorization of meals by religion, including separate “Hindu Meal” and “Muslim Meal” options, has been criticized as divisive. Although Air India’s Hindu Meal excludes beef and pork, the airline now permits MOML pre-booking to provide halal meals only for those specifically requesting it.
In a press release, Air India clarified, “MOML (Muslim Meal): Pre-booked meals labeled with a ‘MOML’ sticker are considered special meals (SPML).
A Halal Certificate will be provided only for the pre-booked MOML meal. All meals on flights to Saudi Arabia will be halal-certified, with a Halal Certificate available for sectors to Jeddah, Dammam, Riyadh, and Medina, including Haj flights.”
This policy shift is viewed by many as a step toward offering more culturally respectful meal options on Air India flights.
People Response
Some Passenger and aviation commenters have responded to Air India’s meal policy change that has highlighted varied perspectives:
One passenger called for a nationwide standard: “I would like this to be standard in all restaurants and meat shops across the country. We non-Muslims must have a default option of jhatka meat.”
Another supported the decision, stating, “It’s the best way forward. Muslim meals were always available on request, and then it suddenly became halal for everyone!”
one noted, “That’s fine. Just like Hindu meals are a separate option on international flights, let this be a separate choice as well.”
Others shared similar sentiments, comparing it to other specialized meal options. “It’s similar to Jain meals or other dietary-restricted meals,” one said.
Some highlighted the difference between “HNML” (Hindu Meal) and “jhatka,” while others questioned if the distinction mattered. One passenger argued, “You’re all eating chicken in the end. It’s the same bird! And if it’s Air India, it’s going to be poorly cooked anyway.”
A few responses took a critical view, with one suggesting that the focus on preparation methods overshadowed ethical concerns: “Does it really matter if you kill with a knife or a gun? In the end, an animal is killed for someone’s taste buds. We’ve let our more devilish nature dominate.”
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