4-day meat ban in Mumbai during Jain fasting period

Mumbai, Sept 8: In a controversial move, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has agreed for a four-day ban on the sale of meat in Mumbai on Monday.

According to the directive, slaughter of meat will not be allowed for four days until the ritual fasting of Jains comes to an end on September 18. However, restaurants will be allowed to serve meat on these days.'

The move came just a few days after Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporations's decision to ban meat sale for 8 days in the city. The BJP also demanded a ban on the sale of meat for the entire fasting period from September 10-17 this year.

This triggered rage among Shiv Sena and other parties who said that neither a community nor a civic body can decide what others should eat during another communities' festival.

Terming the move as unfair, MNS corporator Sandeep Deshpande said,"The BJP cannot decide when and what kind of food we can eat. During our fasting period or an auspicious month like Shravan, we do not ask for a ban on meat across the city. Why is a particular community being favoured?"

Congress' Devendra Amberker said,"Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city where vegetarians and meat-eating citizens reside. Since many years, all communities have been living together despite several religious festivals. Why is one political party favouring a community now and banning others from eating meat?"

It is said that the Jain association had submitted an application to civic chief Ajoy Mehta for a 8-day ban on Monday. Way back in 2013, there was a 2-day ban on sale of meat during the fasting.

OneIndia News