Meat ban fever spreads to Rajasthan, J&K, Gujarat
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New Delhi: The fever of banning meat and beef spread Thursday with such directives being issued in Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Ahmedabad even as controversy continued to rage in Mumbai where the High Court ruled that a prohibition on sale of meat is not feasible.
Rajasthan government ordered ban on sale of meat and fish on September 17, 18 and 27 on account of festivals, including that of Jains.
In a circular issued to all municipal bodies, the state government has asked meat shop vendors to close their shops and stop sale of meat and fish on September 17 in view of Jain community’s ‘Paryushan’ (Jain fasting) festival, on September 18 on account of ‘Sanvatsari’ (another Jain festival), and September 27 on ‘Anant Chaturdashi’, an official said.
The order will also be applicable to slaughter houses, he said.
In Jammu and Kashmir, High Court ordered ban on sale of beef, triggering angry reactions by locals and organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami and separatist Hurriyat Conference. The HC Bar Association said it will challenge the order.
Similarly, in Ahmedabad, Police Commissioner Shivanand Jha ordered ban on slaughter of cattle like cows and goats, for a week during the Jain fasting period of ‘Paryushan’ in the city beginning from today.
A public notification issued by Jha last night said slaughtering cattle, including cows, buffaloes, oxes, bulls and goats in open areas may disturb peaceful atmosphere and hurt religious sentiments of Jains during Paryushan, which is celebrated between September 10 and September 17.
The notification bars people from slaughtering animals outside authorised slaughter houses as well as at any other private or public place, which is visible to the public.
Action will be taken against those found guilty of violating the order under Section 188 (violation of police notification) of the Indian Penal Code (violation of police.
However, the notification does not ban slaughter inside official slaughter houses.
Meanwhile, amid protests on the streets of Mumbai by political parties, including ruling BJP’s ally Shiv Sena and opposition MNS, the Bombay High Court today said imposing a ban on animal slaughter and sale of meat for four days is not feasible in a metropolitan city like Mumbai.
A division bench headed by Justice Anoop Mohta was hearing a petition filed by Bombay Mutton Dealers Association challenging Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) decision to ban the sale of meat for four days — September 10, 13, 17 and 18 — during the festival.
