In a resolution passed on Saturday by the neighbouring Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC), the Bharatiya Janata Party proposed a ban on animal slaughter and sale of meat for eight days during the Jain fasting period ‘Paryushan,’ going against the government policy of two-day ban.
The resolution, moved by BJP corporator Dinesh Jain, was opposed by the party’s ally Shiv Sena, who was backed by the Opposition Congress-Nationalist Congress Party combine. However, the BJP won with two votes in the general body meeting.
“Though the Maharashtra government circular says the ban should be for two to three days, we proposed that mutton shops and abattoirs should be shut for all the ten days from September 10 to 18, during the fasting period. The Jain, who number over a lakh in the 8.5 lakh population of the city had requested that no animals should be slaughtered during this time,” BJP MLA Narendra Mehta told The Hindu .
The resolution was thus moved in view of the sentiments of the Jain community.
However, Opposition said the resolution had no teeth without the backing of the government policy.
“Over the above the days stipulated in the government circular, you can only request. You cannot pressure anyone to shut shop. The Corporation Commissioner resolution will have to send the resolution to the government for approval and the government will not amend its policy only for Mira-Bhayander,” Prashant Dalvi, one of the Sena corporators, who was not present during the voting told The Hindu .
