2024-08-31 13:37:28
Ottawa: Hindus and Sikhs in Ontario, Canada have protested against Kentucky Fried Chicken’s (KFC) decision to serve only Halal chicken. Hindus and Sikhs have sent a notice to KFC against this decision. This controversy started when the company said it would serve only Halal chicken. In fact, Ontario has the largest Muslim population in Canada. It was believed that the company took this decision to attract Muslim customers, but due to this decision KFC became the center of controversy. Many Hindu and Sikh organizations are opposing this and calling it an ‘exclusionary’ step instead of an inclusive one.
According to a report by India Today, Hindu Forum Canada has sent a notice through its law firm asking KFC to reverse its decision, saying that the decision is against the spirit of the law and the principles of inclusion. The organisation has said that they are not opposed to serving halal meat but the restaurant should also serve non-halal meat to cater to the needs of people belonging to religions that do not eat halal.
Questions raised over KFC’s sudden change
Hindu Forum Canada said in its notice that for the past 71 years, KFC has never said that it will only serve halal chicken at its restaurants in Ontario. The company has made a sudden change, which is not only against the spirit of the law and the principle of inclusiveness, but is also not in line with their own corporate brand. Speaking to India Today, Rahul Yendamuri of Hindu Forum Canada said that KFC’s decision to serve only halal is adding to the pain that the world is facing due to religion and division.
Baljeet Bawa of the Sikh community said that as a Canadian I believe in the values of diversity and inclusion, but the decision of some restaurants and food chains to go halal is against the values of equality. It only supports one religion, one faith and ignores others. He said that the ‘Rehat Maryada’ of Sikhs prohibits eating halal meat. In such a situation, they should also take care of our sentiments. KFC should withdraw this decision so that people of other religions do not have to compromise.