Row Over 'Hindu' and 'Muslim' Food Labels on Vistara Airlines Flights Sparks Social Media Debate, What Users Are Saying?

A recent controversy has emerged over the labeling of meals as "Hindu" and "Muslim" on Vistara Airlines flights, leading to heated discussions on social media. The issue was brought to light by a female passenger, Aarti Tikku Singh, who voiced her concerns about the airline's food labeling practices.

A Passenger's Shock and Outcry

Aarti Tikku Singh, who recently traveled on a Vistara flight from Srinagar to Jammu, expressed her dismay over the airline's practice of labeling vegetarian meals as "Hindu food" and non-vegetarian meals like chicken and mutton as "Muslim food." In a message shared on social media, she questioned the airline's rationale behind these designations, asking why it assumed all Hindus are vegetarians and all Muslims are non-vegetarians. Singh criticized the airline for imposing such labels and accused it of "communalizing" food choices.

In response to this, Aarti deliberately chose to book both a "Hindu meal" and a "Muslim meal" to express her disapproval of what she perceived as an arbitrary categorization of food based on religious identity. Her post quickly gained attention, with many users expressing their support and outrage over the practice.

 Social Media Response

The controversy has sparked widespread debate on social media platforms. Many users were quick to react, pointing out that the food codes used by airlines are not determined by individual carriers like Vistara but are, in fact, standardized within the aviation industry. This clarification was echoed by several industry professionals who sought to provide context to the issue.

Industry Explanation of Food Codes

Sanjay Lazar, CEO of Avialas Consultants, took to social media to explain the standard international aviation food codes. He clarified that in aviation terminology, "Hindu meal" (HNML) does not necessarily mean vegetarian food. It can also include non-vegetarian options that are not prepared according to halal standards. Similarly, "Muslim meal" (MOML) refers to non-vegetarian food that is prepared in accordance with halal guidelines.

Former CEO of Jet Airways, Sanjeev Kapoor, also responded to the controversy, stating that these food codes are standardized across the global aviation industry and are not unique to Vistara. He emphasized that such codes are utilized by all airlines that operate on a Global Distribution System (GDS) basis. Kapoor, however, did suggest that there is a need to update or modernize these codes to prevent any misunderstandings or unintended offenses in today's diverse and multicultural world.

Ministry urged to take action

In light of the controversy, Aarti has called upon the Ministry of Civil Aviation to intervene and take appropriate action. She has argued that such labels contribute to unnecessary communal tensions and could easily be avoided with more neutral terminology. The Ministry has yet to respond publicly to these appeals.

The controversy over the "Hindu" and "Muslim" food labels on Vistara flights has highlighted a larger conversation about cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in global aviation standards. As social media continues to amplify passenger experiences and grievances, it remains to be seen whether airlines and regulatory bodies will move towards revising and modernizing these long-established codes to better align with contemporary societal values.