Nagpur (Maharashtra): The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Tuesday announced that all slaughterhouses and meat shops within city limits will remain closed on August 15, coinciding with Independence Day and Janmashtami, which fall on the same day as per the Marathi calendar this year.
In a notice issued by Rajesh Bhagat, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Solid Waste Management, the NMC reportedly stated, “All slaughterhouses and meat shops within NMC limits shall remain shut, and action will be taken by the civic flying squad against violators.” The closure is in line with a Maharashtra Government directive, officials said, adding that the Janmashtami-related restrictions were approved by the municipal commissioner.
The move comes a day after the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) issued a similar order, mandating the closure of all slaughterhouses and meat shops on August 15. The KDMC’s restriction applies to all licensed butchers dealing in goats, sheep, chicken and large animals, and will be in force from midnight on August 14 until the end of August 15.
Opposition Slams Meat Ban Move
The orders have drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition. NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Jitendra Awhad questioned whether citizens were now being dictated on dietary choices during national celebrations. “Who is the commissioner to tell us what to eat and what not to? Bridges are collapsing, roads are in terrible shape, and instead of fixing them, the administration is busy banning food,” he said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray went a step further, calling for the KDMC commissioner’s suspension over the order. Awhad, in protest, announced plans to host a “mutton party” on Friday to oppose what he described as an unnecessary curb on personal choice.
Defending the decision, Kalyan MLA Vishwanath Bhoir of the ruling Shiv Sena argued that refraining from meat for a single day should not be a major concern, especially given the religious significance of Janmashtami.
