Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar criticised civic bodies for banning meat sales on August 15, calling it wrong and unnecessary. He said such restrictions are for faith-based events, not national days. Aaditya Thackeray and Jitendra Awhad also opposed the ban, with Thackeray demanding the KDMC commissioner’s suspension over the order.
Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar
Since the civic bodies have announced the ban on slaughterhouses and shops on two different days, the debate around it has been ongoing. On Tuesday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also came forward and expressed his displeasure over some civic bodies ordering the closure of slaughterhouses and shops selling meat on August 15. The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra also stated that it was wrong to impose such a ban.
Ajit Pawar, while showing disbelief over the ban on meat shops on August 15, stated that, “Such types of restrictions are generally imposed considering faith-related sensitivities on occasions like Ashadhi Ekadashi, Mahashivratri, Mahavir Jayanti, etc.,” as cited by news agency PTI.
While pointing out that no one has the right to ask people to eat vegetarian and non-vegetarian food in Maharashtra, he further said that, “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," as per PTI.
Earlier in the day, the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation announced the closure of slaughterhouses, outlets and shops selling meat within city limits on two days – August 15 and August 20 – in view of festivals.
The order related to the meat ban which was released on Tuesday stated that all the shops and slaughterhouses will be closed across Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on August 15 on the occasion of Gokul Ashtami, a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, and also on August 20, which marks the beginning of 'Paryushan Parva' – a key festival of the Jain community characterised by fasting and prayers.
On these two days, there will be a ban on slaughtering animals and selling meat in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city, the civic corporation stated, and warned of action for violation.
The order comes on the heels of the Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) in Thane district near Mumbai directing the closure of meat shops on August 15.
Moreover, it has also been reported that the Malegaon Municipal Corporation, too, issued such an order.
Stating his comments over this order, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray said that the KDMC commissioner should be suspended because it is not their issue to decide on vegetarian or non-vegetarian food consumption.
He asserted, "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," as per news agency PTI.
On the other hand, NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad has also said he will consume non-veg food to protest against the ban by the KDMC.
(With PTI inputs)
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