The alleged listing of pork products for sale on quick-commerce platform Blinkit in Kashmir has triggered widespread outrage, with religious and trade bodies demanding their immediate removal and urging the company to respect the religious and cultural sensitivities of the region.
The controversy emerged shortly after Blinkit expanded its services to Kashmir, with screenshots circulating on social media purportedly showing pork products available for delivery in the Valley.
The listings drew sharp reactions from religious leaders and representatives of the business community, who described the issue as deeply offensive in a Muslim-majority region where the sale and consumption of pork is religiously prohibited.
The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), an amalgam of several religious organisations headed by Kashmir’s chief preacher Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, expressed outrage over the alleged listings, saying screenshots shared by people showed pork products being offered for sale on the platform in Kashmir.
The MMU said it was well known that the sale and consumption of pork is prohibited in Islam and that Muslims are highly sensitive to the issue. Questioning how such products were allowed to be listed for sale, it sought a thorough investigation by the authorities and asked that those responsible be warned.
The religious body also called upon Blinkit to immediately remove the products and ensure they are neither stocked, advertised nor sold in Kashmir. It stressed that businesses operating in the region must respect its religious and cultural sensitivities and conduct their operations responsibly.
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has formally written to Blinkit, expressing serious concern over the reported listing of pork products for delivery in Kashmir. In its communication, the Chamber said the incident had deeply hurt the religious sentiments of the people and reflected a significant lapse in understanding the religious and cultural sensitivities of the region.
KCCI President Javid Ahmad Tenga said businesses entering Kashmir must understand that commercial expansion cannot come at the cost of disregarding the region’s deeply held religious and cultural values.
“Every company entering Kashmir must recognise that commercial expansion cannot come at the cost of disregarding the deeply held religious and cultural values of the people. Businesses have a responsibility to understand the character of the markets they serve. Product catalogues must be tailored to local sensitivities, and robust safeguards should be in place to prevent such unacceptable lapses. Blinkit must immediately withdraw these listings, review its systems comprehensively and ensure that such incidents are never repeated,” Tenga said.
The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) also criticised the alleged listings, saying companies operating in Kashmir must demonstrate respect for the region’s religious ethos and cultural values.
KTA President Aijaz Ahmad Shahdhar said the reported availability of pork products had caused concern among consumers and highlighted the need for companies to adopt region-specific safeguards while operating in culturally sensitive markets.
“Kashmir welcomes investment, innovation and modern business models, but every company must understand that commercial success is built on respect for the sentiments of local communities. Offering products that are religiously prohibited to the overwhelming majority of the population reflects a serious lack of market understanding. Blinkit should immediately remove such products, issue an appropriate clarification and establish strict filters to ensure that listings incompatible with the cultural and religious values of Kashmir never appear on its platform again,” Shahdhar said.
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