Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has criticised the move by some civic bodies, including Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), to ban meat on Independence Day, saying such measures were wrong, in a rare move, which saw him siding with opposition leaders on the issue.
"It is wrong to impose such a ban. In major cities, people of different castes and religions reside. If it is an emotional issue, then people accept it (ban) for a day. But, if you clamp such orders on Maharashtra Day, Independence Day, and Republic Day, then it is difficult," Pawar, who heads the NCP, which is a part of the Mahayuti government, told reporters.
His remarks came after the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation announced the closure of slaughterhouses, outlets and shops selling meat within city limits on two days - August 15 and 20 - in view of festivals. The move follows the KDMC directing the closure of meat shops on August 15.
"Such types of restrictions are generally imposed considering faith-related sensitivities on occasions like Ashadhi Ekadashi, Mahashivratri, Mahavir Jayanti etc," Pawar said, adding that people eat vegetarian and non-vegetarian food in Maharashtra.
As per the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation's meat ban order, the closure was ordered on August 15 on Gokul Ashtami, a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, and August 20, which marks the beginning of 'Paryushan Parva'- a key festival of the Jain community characterised by fasting and prayer.
The KDMC order said that all slaughterhouses and shops of licenced butchers of goats, sheep, chickens and large animals must remain closed for 24 hours from midnight of August 14 till midnight of August 15.
The civic body warned of action under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, 1949, if any animal is slaughtered or meat is sold during this period.
There are reports that the Malegaon Municipal Corporation, too, issued such an order.
Voicing Pawar's criticism, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray demanded the suspension of the KDMC commissioner over the issue as it was not his job to decide whether to consume veg or non-veg.
"It is our decision what to eat and not to eat on Independence Day. We will definitely eat non-veg food. The commissioner should instead address the issue of potholes on streets," Thackeray said.
NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad said he will consume non-veg food to protest against the ban by KDMC.
Source: ANI