Indian states' proposals to penalise food spitting sparks controversy

India's crackdown on food contamination raises fears of communal targeting, highlighting food safety and tensions.

Two Indian states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have announced stringent measures against food contamination practices, including hefty fines and potential imprisonment.

The northern state of Uttarakhand will impose fines of up to Indian Ruppee 100,000  or $1,190; for offenders, while neighbouring Uttar Pradesh is set to roll out comprehensive regulations aimed at tackling the issue.

These government directives emerged following the circulation of unverified videos on social media that showcased alarming incidents of food contamination, including vendors spitting on food and a video of a house help reportedly mixing urine into meals.

These disturbing visuals ignited public outrage and raised serious concerns regarding food safety in these states.

However, they also fueled divisive narratives, particularly targeting the Muslim community.

Although initial accusations claimed the woman in the video was Muslim, subsequent police investigations revealed her to be Hindu, prompting a backlash against misleading information circulating online.

Officials assert that these strict laws are essential to discourage unsanitary food practices.

However, opposition leaders and legal experts have raised concerns about the potential misuse of such laws to vilify specific communities. Critics, including the Indian newspaper, described the proposed ordinances as "sectarian dog whistles" that prey on the majority's fears while targeting an already marginalized group.

The complex landscape of food habits in India, influenced by cultural, religious, and caste dynamics, further complicates discussions around food safety.

Norms and taboos associated with food often exacerbate tensions between communities, intertwining the issue of food safety with religious narratives.

This cultural context is significant, particularly given that the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) estimates that unsafe food leads to around 600 million infections and 400,000 deaths annually.

Experts attribute poor food safety standards to various factors, including inadequate enforcement of existing laws and a lack of public awareness.

Common issues such as cramped kitchens, dirty utensils, contaminated water, and improper food handling further compromise the integrity of food safety in India. In response to the recent videos, the Uttarakhand government mandated police verification of food establishment staff and the installation of CCTV cameras in kitchens.

In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has proposed ordinances that would impose penalties of up to ten years in prison for food spitting offenses. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for thorough employee verification at food establishments and mandatory display of owner information.

Amid these developments, the Supreme Court of India recently intervened, halting directives that unfairly targeted food vendors during the Kanwar yatra, a significant Hindu pilgrimage. Petitioners argued that the measures disproportionately affected Muslim vendors, further underscoring the intersection of food safety with community dynamics.

Recent arrests related to these food contamination issues, such as that of Mohammad Irshad in Barakanki for allegedly spitting on a roti, have added fuel to the fire. The situation escalated when individuals were accused of causing public outrage and disturbing communal harmony, with videos of these incidents quickly taking on a religious undertone, leading to accusations of "thook-jihad"—a term linking spitting to communal defilement.

This is not the first time the Muslim community has faced accusations related to food safety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a wave of fake videos targeting Muslims circulated, heightening religious polarization and fostering an environment of distrust.