The orders issued by several civic bodies in various states banning the sale of meat on Independence Day have sparked a political storm with the Opposition parties alleging that the fundamental freedom of people is being violated.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi took potshots at the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation on Wednesday for its direction to slaughterhouses and meat shops to remain closed on August 15 and 16—Independence Day and Janmashtami.
The Hyderabad MP termed the orders “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,” Owaisi wrote on X.
Several municipal bodies in Maharashtra have issued similar directives, drawing sharp criticism even from Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
"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.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation has announced the closure of slaughterhouses, outlets and shops selling meat within city limits on two days—August 15 and 20—in view of festivals.
The Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) in Thane district near Mumbai has also directed the closure of meat shops on August 15. The Malegaon Municipal Corporation, too, issued a similar order.
Lashing out at these directives, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said the municipal corporations would rather focus on issues such as potholes on roads.
"What we eat on Independence Day is our right, our freedom. They cannot tell us whether to eat. In our house, even during Navratri, our prasad has prawns and fish because this is our tradition. This is our Hindutva. Why are you entering our homes?,” he asked.
Earlier, NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad had said he would host a mutton party on August 15 to highlight the "freedom" of subjective food preferences.
Bhiwandi MP and NCP (SP) leader Suresh Mhatre too strongly opposed the restriction, calling it an infringement of people's traditional food habits.
"What one should eat and what one shouldn't is a question of the people. The local fishermen community eats vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Food habits are shaped by customs prevalent in different parts of the state. The ban on the sale of meat is incomprehensible," Mhatre told reporters.