Amid a raging political controversy over directives issued by some civic bodies in Maharashtra to ban the sale of meat on Independence Day, the Bharatiya Janata Party has sought to give a history lesson to the Opposition.
In a social media post, BJP media cell chief Navnath Ban claimed that the decision to ban meat sale on certain days, including Independence Day, was taken on May 12, 1988, by the then Congress government.
“According to this rule, on days of national and religious importance such as Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Ram Navami, and Mahavir Jayanti, municipal corporations have the authority to keep slaughterhouses closed,” Ban said, adding that the decision is taken through a resolution passed directly by corporators in the general body meeting.
“In other words, this decision is made unanimously by local representatives,” he added.
Ban further noted that the decision taken in 1988 was kept unchanged even during the tenure of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, of which the Congress, NCP (SP) and the Shiv Sena (UBT) were part of.
“At that time, however, these leaders had their lips sealed. But today, while setting up a political spectacle, they are speaking as if 'atrocities' are being committed,” he said, referring to the criticism of several opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, against the ban on meat sale.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation, the Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) in Thane district, and the Malegaon Municipal Corporation have announced the closure of slaughterhouses, outlets and shops selling meat within city limits on August 15.
Aaditya Thackeray has lashed out at the move, calling it an infringement on personal freedom. "What we eat on Independence Day is our right, our freedom. They cannot tell us whether to eat,” he had said.
Interestingly, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, an ally of the BJP, has also expressed strong disapproval of the directives of the municipal corporations.
"It is wrong to impose such a ban. In major cities, people of different castes and religions reside. If it is an emotional issue, then people accept it (ban) for a day. But if you clamp such orders on Maharashtra Day, Independence Day and Republic Day, then it is difficult," Pawar told reporters.
Meanwhile, in Telangana, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has also given direction to slaughterhouses and meat shops to remain closed on August 15, eliciting sharp reaction from AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who called it “callous” and “unconstitutional”.
“What’s the connection between eating meat and celebrating Independence Day? 99% of Telangana’s people eat meat. These meat bans violate people’s right to liberty, privacy, livelihood, culture, nutrition & religion,” the Hyderabad MP wrote on X.