After demand of meet ban in Maharashtra and other parts of the country during Jain festival, now historical city of Agra is under controversy for meet ban during Navratri.
The Agra administration facing pressure from two city-based right wings, Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh (VHM) and Dharam Jagran Manch (DJM) demanding the closure of meat shops. It’s not just the sale they want to be banned but also consumption of meat, during the nine days of festivities of Navratras.
About 50 men from these groups staged a dharna and forced the Agra Municipal Corporation (AMC) officials to accept their memorandum and enforce the closure.
“We will loose 100 pigs go in Jamia Masjid if our demand on meat is not met”, threatened Nandkishore Balmiki, a member of DJM.
The police, followed by AMC officials, rushed to the spot while the activists blocked the busiest road Mahatma Gandhi Road of the city.
Senior superintendent of police Pritender Singh said, “We will try to sort out the matter by earliest and whatever the decision be, we will make sure no one take law and order in their hands.”
However, the AMC managed to escape from the demand by saying that it being a holiday, the demands could not be implemented immediate basis.
Soon after the protest, additional municipal commissioner Anil Kumar said a ban will be imposed on the sale of non-vegetarian food near temples during Navratra. But as soon as the word spread, municipal commissioner took a U turn and said, “The decision for the closure of shops would be taken keeping in mind the past tradition. If the shops were closed during Navratra in the past, they would be closed,” said Anil Kumar.