08, Sep 2015

MUMBAI: Taking a cue from the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday demanded a ban on sale of meat and functioning of slaughterhouses during the eight-day fasting period for Jain community, Paryushan.
The civic body, however, said that like last year, the sale of meat will be banned only for four days — September 10, 13, 17 and 18 — during Paryushan.
While the Deonar slaughterhouse, fish markets, poultry and meat shops will be closed on these days, restaurants across the city may serve meat.
Samajwadi Party corporator Rais Shaikh said, “The BJP is trying to please a section of people by meeting such demands. It cannot interfere with the eating habits of citizens. We condemn this move.” Congress’ Devendra Amberkar, the opposition leader in the BMC, said: “Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city where vegetarians and meat-eating citizens reside. For 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?”