ibn sultan
Srinagar, August 6: A controversy has erupted in Kashmir after screenshots allegedly showing pork products listed for sale on the quick-commerce platform Blinkit went viral on social media, prompting strong objections from the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), an umbrella body of Islamic religious organisations headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the MMU termed the alleged listings “deeply disturbing” and said businesses operating in the Kashmir Valley must respect the region’s religious and cultural sensitivities. The organisation demanded that Blinkit immediately remove all pork products from its platform and ensure that such items are neither stocked, advertised nor sold in the Valley.
The religious body also called on the authorities to investigate how the products were allegedly listed for sale and identify those responsible. It stressed that pork consumption is prohibited in Islam, making the issue particularly sensitive in the Muslim-majority region.
The controversy comes shortly after the expansion of quick-commerce services into Kashmir. Unlike traditional grocery stores that generally tailor their inventory to local demand, app-based platforms rely on digital catalogues and centralised inventory systems, raising questions about how products are curated for different regions.
While there is no legal prohibition on the sale of pork in India, businesses often adapt their product offerings to local religious and cultural preferences.
