It has been nearly two weeks since authorities recovered a shocking 1,200 kg of rotten meat from a factory in Zakura, Srinagar. The scale of the seizure is horrifying — yet even more alarming is the silence that has followed. Neither the names of the individuals nor the company responsible have been made public. In an age of instant news, this secrecy is unacceptable.
This is not a minor food safety violation — it is a calculated, life-threatening act that directly endangers public health. Our hospitals are already burdened with cases of stomach cancer and other gastrointestinal diseases. While a variety of factors contribute to these illnesses, consuming unhygienic, spoiled meat could be a significant cause. This is not just about food safety; this is about human lives.
The law must treat such actions as more than routine offences under food safety regulations. This is wilful poisoning of the population — a crime deserving of the Public Safety Act (PSA). Those involved must face detention, trial, and permanent blacklisting from any business dealing with food.
Furthermore, naming and shaming is essential. Consumers have the right to know who endangered their health. Protecting identities under the guise of ‘ongoing investigation’ only erodes public trust. Transparency is the first step to accountability.
Meanwhile, genuine restaurant owners — those who have invested heavily in building reputations for quality — are paying the price. Public trust in eateries has plummeted. People are avoiding eating out, and an entire sector is suffering because of the greed of a few unscrupulous players.
The administration must act now:
Release the names of the accused individuals and the business involved.
Invoke PSA for deliberate sale of harmful food.
Ensure such offenders are permanently barred from the food industry.
Public health is non-negotiable. Silence is complicity. If we cannot protect the food on our plates, we cannot claim to protect our people.
