No mutton, Tablighi jalsa to serve only chicken

As Nuh prepares to host nearly two lakh people during the upcoming Tablighi Jamaat Jalsa from April 19, the organisers have made a significant decision to serve only chicken biryani at the event, ruling out mutton dishes that could create confusion and trigger a controversy.

The move is aimed at avoiding any potential confrontation with cow vigilante groups active in the Mewat region. The jalsa committee has issued instructions to all food stall vendors to use only chicken in their biryanis.

Avoiding row in nuh

• Nearly 2 lakh people are expected to visit Nuh during the Tablighi Jamaat Jalsa from April 19
• Stall owners told to stick to chicken biryani and avoid mutton dishes
• Organisers want to avoid confrontation with cow vigilantes

“We don’t want any controversy in this congregation, which is the biggest for the Meo community,” said Akhtar Alvi, the spokesperson of the jalsa committee.

“Biryani is the most popular dish here and there will be hundreds of stalls. We have instructed all vendors to stick to chicken, which is easily identifiable. No other meat will be allowed. The aim is to eliminate any chance of misunderstanding or mischief by vigilantes.” To ensure compliance, a special team from the committee will inspect stalls during the event and the directive has been widely circulated on social media.

However, the decision has left many attendees disappointed. “Mutton biryani is famous here and the most sought after during the jalsa,” said a Jamaat member from Delhi. “Just because some people want to create a ruckus and communally target us, we are being forced to abstain from mutton. Tomorrow, we might have to give up meat entirely. The community has taken this step for peace, but how long will this continue? The government should control troublemakers — be it vigilantes or cow smugglers — so that there’s no fear.”

Sources said that cow vigilante groups across Mewat, Faridabad and Gurugram had been alerted to monitor for suspected cow smuggling during the event.

The Tablighi Jamaat, founded in 1926 in Mewat by Deobandi scholar Muhammad Ilyas al-Kandhlawi, is a global Islamic revivalist organisation.