Jhatka

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Jhatka (Punjabi: ਝਟਕਾ, romanized: jhaṭkā) is the meat from an animal killed by a single strike of a sword or axe to sever the head within the Dharmic Sikh religion, which kills the animal almost instantly as opposed to other forms of slaughter. This type of slaughter is preferred by most meat-consuming Sikhs. Also within this method of butchering the animal must not be scared or shaken before the slaughter but given a dignified, painless death. Jhatka meat is also advisable for Hindus who opt for meat. As in eastern and southern parts of India a sacrifice is not auspicious unless it has been killed in a single strike (see "Boli" ritual). In places like Jammu and Rajasthan Hindu communities maintain the consumption of jhatka meat and shops often display the sign of Jhatka availability.