New Delhi/ Mumbai
On the occasion of Independence Day (15 August) and Krishna Janmashtami, a new ruckus has started in the state on the orders of keeping meat shops closed in Nagpur, Kalyan Dombivali and Malegaon in Maharashtra. At first, the Shiv Sena objected to this, then Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Awasusi questioned this and called it unconstitutional and now Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in the Maharashtra government has also questioned this order. NCP leader Ajit Pawar expressed displeasure over the orders of some local bodies to shut down slaughterhouses and meat selling shops on August 15, saying it is wrong to impose such restrictions.
Pawar said that such restrictions are usually imposed on occasions like Ashadhi Ekadashi, Mahashivratri, Mahavir Jayanti etc. keeping in mind religious sensitivity. He said that people in Maharashtra eat both vegetarian and non -vegetarian food. Pawar told reporters on Tuesday, “It is wrong to impose such a ban. People of different castes and religions live in big cities. If this is an emotional issue, then people accept it (ban) for a day but if you issue such orders on Maharashtra Day, Independence Day and Republic Day then it is difficult.
Owaisi strongly condemned, unconstitutional
AIMIM MP Owaisi has strongly condemned the order to close slaughterhouses and meat shops on August 15 by several municipal corporations across India including Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). He wrote in a post on social media X, “It seems that many municipal corporations across India have ordered the slaughterhouses and meat shops to be closed on August 15. Unfortunately, @Ghmconline has ordered a similar order. It is rigid and unconstitutional.” Owaisi further wrote, “What is the relationship between eating meat and celebrating Independence Day? 99% of the people of Telangana eat meat. These meat restrictions violate people’s freedom, privacy, livelihood, culture, nutrition and right to religion.”
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Metropolitan Municipality also banned
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Palika has also announced the closure of slaughterhouses and meat shops within the city limits on two days i.e. on August 15 and 20 in view of festivals. It states that on the occasion of Gokul Ashtami on August 15 and ‘Paryushan Parv’, the main festival of Jain community on August 20, it has been ordered to close slaughterhouses and meat shops. The metropolitan municipality has warned of action on violating the order. Earlier, Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) also issued an order to ban the sale of meat on Independence Day.
