New Delhi: The municipal corporation of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh has banned the sale of raw meat in the city from April 2 to 10 in the wake of Navratri while calling it a routine order issued every year, according to a report by The Indian Express.
“It has been directed by the mayor to maintain cleanliness in temples and to close meat shops during the period. It has been directed that cleanliness be maintained in respective zones, in temples and to ensure meat shops remain closed,” the order issued by the civic body read. It will cover the five zones of the district.
The order incidentally comes after local BJP MLA Nand Kishor Gurjar on March 31 had written to the district magistrate highlighting that several restaurants in his constituency were selling meat in the open in his constituency. He had requested officials concerned to initiate action against such establishments to “prevent any possible spread of disease”.
In fact, this is not the first time Gurjar had made such claims and sought such restrictions be placed on meat shops.
Also read: Karnataka: BJP Leader Demands Ban on Halal Meat, Says It Is Part of ‘Economic Jihad’
The latest order, which will enforce the shutdown of meat shops in both urban and rural areas under the jurisdiction of the civic body, is being described as a routine annual affair by the authorities.
“The order is issued every year and the ban only exists during Navratri. The sale of raw meat will remain prohibited in these five zones. The communication has been given to all Nagar Nigam departments concerned,” said Asha Sharma, the Ghaziabad mayor.
Lately, Hindutva groups across the BJP-ruled states have been intensifying the crackdown on establishments selling meat and poultry products, where a large number of Muslims earn their livelihood.