The aroma of freshly grilled kebabs and sizzling Wazwan platters has long been the heartbeat of Kashmir’s streets. But this week, that heart skipped a beat — and perhaps broke — after horrifying revelations of rotten and substandard meat flooding the Valley’s food scene.
In just a few days, authorities seized over 3,000 kilograms of spoiled meat from various parts of Kashmir. On Saturday alone, residents woke up to the nauseating sight of heaps of decayed meat dumped near SKIMS Hospital in Soura — a scene that sent waves of disgust and anger across the region.
Social media lit up with videos and images of the rotting piles, prompting an outpour of shock.
“I feel utterly betrayed,” one local wrote online. “We trusted these eateries with our health and our families’ safety. How long have we been unknowingly eating this garbage?”
The impact was immediate. In Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, once crowded weekend lunch spots were eerily quiet. Normally, weekends mean long queues for plates of kebabs and steaming ristas. This weekend, silence replaced the clinking of cutlery.
Sameer Ahmad, who had come from Pampore to shop for a family gathering, said he couldn’t bring himself to eat out.
“I’ve never left Lal Chowk without my favourite fast food or Wazwan. But after seeing those videos, I felt sick. I just bought fruits instead,” he said.
Even in a place where meat is a cultural staple, fear is driving people towards vegetarian options. Amir Bashir from Nowhatta shared, “For the first time in years, I ate at a vegetarian restaurant. It wasn’t my first choice, but I felt safer.”
The scandal has also crippled Kashmir’s takeaway culture. Ready-to-serve Wazwan dishes — once the go-to for hosting guests — are being avoided. “I’d rather cook at home than risk it,” said Shazia from Nishat.
For honest business owners like Yasir Ahmad in Bemina, the blow is devastating.
“The mistake of a few is destroying livelihoods. I sell fresh food, but customers are scared. If someone is selling a dish for half the price, how can they maintain quality? Authorities must inspect every restaurant,” he urged.
Civil society members and locals now want the crackdown to go beyond a temporary campaign. They’re calling for strict, ongoing inspections and a clear certification system to ensure that only safe, high-quality meat reaches the market.
The scandal has done more than just spoil meat — it has soured trust. And in a culture where food is more than nourishment, rebuilding that trust will take more than words. It will take action.
