Meat shops closed in South Delhi during Navratri; Mayor cites ‘religious sentiments'

New Delhi, Apr 04: The South Delhi Municipal Corporation issued an order on Monday directing the closure of meat shops for nine days during Navratri that is being observed from April 2 to April 11. This is the first time when the civic body has asked for closure of meat shops during Navratri.

"During Navratri, 99% of households in Delhi don't even use garlic & onion, so we've decided that no meat shops will be open in South MCD; the decision will be implemented from tomorrow. Fine will be imposed on violators," said Mukkesh Suryaan, Mayor of South Delhi Municipal Corporation.

"We will also issue licenses with this condition in the future. I've also written to the CM to withdraw their discount on alcohol during Navratri, & if possible, stop the sale of liquor for 9 days too," he added.

An official order in this connection is yet to be issued. In the letter to SDMC Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti, Suryan said "religious beliefs and sentiments of devotees are affected" when they come across meat shops or have to bear the foul smell of meat on their way to offer daily prayers to goddess Durga during Navratri.

He said during the period of Navratri, devotees of goddess Durga observe fast for nine days with a strict vegetarian diet and abstain from the use of non-vegetarian food items, alcohol and also certain spices. During these days, people forgo even the use of onion and garlic in their diets and the sight of meat being sold in open or near temples makes them uncomfortable, Suryan said in the letter.

"Keeping in view the sentiments and feelings of the general public, necessary directions may be issued to the officers concerned to take action for the closure of meat shops during the nine-day period of the Navratri festival extending from April 2, 2022 to April 11, 2022," Suryan wrote in the letter.

He also said some meat shops dump waste in gutters or beside the road, which the stray dogs feed on and is not only unhygienic but also an appalling sight for passerby.

"Such events can be restricted if the meat shops are closed down during the period of Navratri festival in the area under the jurisdiction of SDMC and the closing of meat shops near temples is also necessary to maintain the cleanliness in and around temples," Suryan wrote. Later, Suryan told PTI that an official order regarding closure of meat shops will be issued soon and such shops "will not be allowed to open from Tuesday".

There are around 1,500 registered meat shops in the jurisdiction of the SDMC.