In a controversial demand, a Bharatiya Janata Party legislator has demanded the closure of meat shops in East Delhi during the nine-day Chaitra Navratri festival which begins on March 30.
Ravi Kant, who represents Trilokpuri assembly constituency, has written a letter to the District Magistrate, saying his demand was to maintain sanctity and ensure cleanliness across Delhi.
"The request is that during Navratri, along with ensuring cleanliness across Delhi, meat shops should not be allowed to open. There should be no animal slaughter so that sanctity is maintained,” Kant said in his letter.
Delhi: On the BJP MLAs' demand for the closure of meat shops during Navratri, BJP MLA Ravi Kant says, "This is a matter of faith for all Hindu Sanatanis. From March 30, Chaitra Navratri begins, marking the start of the Hindu New Year. People celebrate with devotion, cleaning… pic.twitter.com/JOAnLXedz0
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The legislator contented that the Hindu community observes these nine days with worship and fasting, celebrating them as Navratri with great reverence as a sacred festival.
“A special aspect is that the Hindu New Year also begins on the same day. These are the most sacred days for the Sanatan community, and therefore, the Hindu society takes special care to maintain their sanctity by ensuring cleanliness at homes, outdoors, and in temples, along with preserving their purity," the letter read.
Kant also noted in his letter that April 6 marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ram and the occasion is revered by the entire Sanatan community.
"On April 6, the birth anniversary of Lord Ram, the revered deity of the entire Sanatan community, is celebrated, which falls on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha in the Chaitra month," he said.
What is Chaitra Navratri?
Much like Sharad Navratri, Chaitra Navratri also symbolises the triump of good over evil. Both these are nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga.
In some regions, Chaitra Navratri marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year in some regions. The festival is also known as Gudi Padwa (Maharashtra), Navreh (Kashmir), or Ugadi (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka).
