India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala has demanded the government ban the ‘halal system’ and halal sign boards at restaurant, followed by anti-Muslim posts on social media claiming halal food contains human spit.

Indian experts claim the campaign against halal meat is an “attempt to divide society on communal lines.”

“There are evil designs behind this campaign and it is going to disturb communal harmony,” Dr N.P. Hafiz Mohammed, a social scientist and writer told India Today.

The campaign against halal food has triggered concerned over social media and crossed borders too.

Pakistani activist and lawyer Jibran Nasir tweeted, “Islamophobia and bias inculcated into Indian masses by the Hindutva driven agenda of BJP/Modi is taking roots in even the most secular parts of India.”

“Shows 96.2% literacy isn’t enough when hearts are filled with hate,” he added.

Twitter user Sana Saleem finds it hard to see the purpose of the debate and called it “pointless.”

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) organised a food street against BJP’s halal food campaign. The food street served chicken, beef, and pork as a sign of progress.

DYFI state president S Satheesh told Indian news platform, News18, “There is a lot of misinformation that is being spread through this campaign. Food is a personal choice and religion is now being brought into it to divide people. It’s against this campaign that DYFI has organised this protest.”

Satheesh also added that it’s not just shops run by Muslims that have a sign board saying halal, shops run by Hindus and Christians also have these boards.

The Kerala Hotels and Restaurants Association has filed a complaint before the Kerala chief minister demanding action against this campaign, and also against people who are trying to create a communal divide on social media.