A 4-day ban on selling meat in Mumbai has been imposed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) with the backing of BJP during the Jain community’s upcoming fasting period, drawing stiff opposition from various quarters, including ally Shiv Sena which decried it as “appeasement” and “religious terrorism”.
The order by BMC Commissioner Ajoy Mehta came days after a civic body took a similar decision in the adjoining Thane district prohibiting the sale of meat for eight days from September 11 to 18 when the Jain community will observe the fasting period of ‘Paryushan’.
However, civic officials claimed that this is not a new decision and has been in practice for the last several years, adding that the prohibition will not affect the sale of fish and other seafood.
They said the step was taken in view of the growing demand not only by the Jain community, but also from some corporators.
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