BJP Minister Who Opposed Halal Meat Inaugurates KFC Outlet

According to recent local media reports and viral videos from India, Mr. Giriraj Singh, Union Minister for Textiles in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government and local Member of Parliament, inaugurated a new outlet of the international fast-food chain KFC at Har Har Mahadev Chowk in Begusarai, Bihar, on September 17. He cut the ribbon as the chief guest to mark the opening of the new branch.

However, the event triggered widespread debate on social media, as the BJP leader had previously courted controversy with his vocal opposition to halal meat. In December 2023, Mr. Singh publicly called on Hindus to boycott halal meat and consume only jhatka meat (a method where the animal is severed in a single stroke).

Speaking at an event in Begusarai at the time, he commended Muslims for adhering to their religious traditions by consuming halal meat, urging Hindus to preserve their own faith traditions similarly. He stated, ‘The traditional method of animal sacrifice for Hindus is jhatka. Whenever Hindus perform bali or sacrifice an animal, it is done in a single stroke. Therefore, they should not compromise their religious principles by eating halal meat. Hindus should always stick to jhatka meat.’

He had even advocated establishing businesses that exclusively process and sell jhatka meat. Following his appearance at the KFC launch, social media users were quick to remind him of his past stance against halal meat. Taking a jab at the Minister, veteran journalist Mr. Ajit Anjum remarked, ‘Look, O Sanatanis! Your Giriraj Singh is now inaugurating a chicken shop!’ At the local level, however, the event was framed simply as the standard opening of a new branch of the international fast-food chain.

Mr. Singh has also been vocal regarding administrative restrictions on meat sales in Bihar. Speaking to reporters in Begusarai in February 2026, he welcomed the government’s decision to crack down on open-air meat sales. He commended Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Kumar Sinha for the move and urged district administrators to enforce the ban strictly, arguing that selling meat in the open should be completely banned in the interest of hygiene and environmental safety.