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The Bombay high court (HC) said that imposing meat ban and ban on animal slaughter for four days during 'Paryushan', the Jain festival, in a metropolitan city like Mumbai is not feasible. The HC has sought response, on a petition challenging it, from the municipal body and State. Marking the protest against the meat ban, Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena opened meat stalls on the streets.

Bombay Mutton Dealers Association’s petition challenging Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) decision for meat ban during four days of September on 10,13,17,18 on the occasion of 'Paryushan' is being heard by division bench headed by Justice Anoop Mohta. Only the sale of chicken and mutton are covered in the ban.

Meat ban on September 10 and 17 was according to directives of the government, while 13 and 18 were imposed by BMC, run by the Shiv Sena-BJP.

The court questioned, "Mumbai is a metropolitan city. Such straight ban on meat cannot be a formula. Ban is on slaughter and sale of the meat. What about other sources? What about packaged meat that is already available in the market?"

Also read: Mumbai meat ban trends on twitter after BMC

Court’s suggestion and question

As per the court’s suggestion in case a problem of the Jain community is with the slaughter of the animals in open and display in stalls, concerning directions can be issued. It was sought by the court from the civic body to know under which provision of law such ban was imposed. Asking BMC and the state government to file short affidavits, the court on Friday posted the matter for hearing.

Petitioners claim was that it is an unconstitutional decision affecting livelihood of a section of people, while favoring very few. Additionally, it is against the constitution’s secular fabric.

-Sumana