Meat Ban: After outrage, Mira Bhayender Municipal Corporation proposal called off?

After the outrage over the meat ban imposed in Mira-Bhayander has been lifted and instead there will be only a two-day ban on slaughter of animals and sale of meat, reports a leading daily. The Maharashtra state did not respond to the civic body's proposal for the eight day ban. As per state rules, there is only a two day ban, which will take place between September 11-17, the days of the Jain fasting period Paryushan. 

Following this, the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Commissioner Achyut Hange has disapproved BJP's proposal of the eight day meat ban. Hange has directed the Corporation to follow the Government Resolution on the matter. The GR says that the corporation can 'request' the people and not 'dictate' them to eat vegetarian food.

This is a great win of democracy and the protest carried out by Shivsena Mira-Bhayander unit against this #meatban !!

— Pratap Sarnaik. (@PratapSarnaik) September 9, 2015

Justice has been given to my local Koli sisters, meat vendors and above all the people of Mira-Bhayander. Jai Hind Jai Maharashtra !!

— Pratap Sarnaik. (@PratapSarnaik) September 9, 2015

However, the Mayor of Mira Bhayander township said there would be no relaxation on the ban on sale of meat for the entire eight-day 'Paryushan', the period of fasting observed by the Jain community.

Mayor Geeta Jain, who belongs to BJP said, "The commissioner has recommended a ban for two days, but we don't agree with it. Unless the state government directs us, there would be no change in the ban (for entire Paryushan)." 

The Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) had earlier banned the sale of meat for eight days during the fasting period of the Jains this month. The decision was taken through a resolution passed by the general body of the corporation on Friday to ban the sale of meat and closure of abattoirs during 'Paryushan' - fasting observed by the Jain community - from September 11-18. 

The resolution was moved by BJP corporator Dinesh Jain, in which the BJP got 29 votes in favour of the resolution, while the ruling party's ally Shiv Sena voted against it, along with the Congress and NCP. 

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) too has banned animal slaughter and sale of meat in Mumbai for four days this month. 

Close on the heels of BMC suspending the sale of meat in its markets for four days, now the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, controlled by the NCP, has announced a similar measure till September 17, as these dates fall within the eight-day Jain fasting period of 'Paryushan'. 

With agency inputs