Gujarat Police Catch Chicken Sellers During The Jain ‘Paryushan’ Festival’ Meat Ban

Gujarat police have booked two people for selling chicken in the open market in Bhuj town of Kutch district in violation of the order banning sale of non-vegetarian food in municipality areas across the state during the Jain festival, Paryushan.

BCCL

Last month, the director of municipalities had issued a circular prohibiting killing of animals and birds, and sale of mutton, poultry and fish from August 29 to September 5 during Paryushan as a mark of respect for the religious sentiments of the Jain community.

To justify the ban on sale of non-vegetarian food, the state government relies on a Supreme Court order passed in 2008 in which it upheld the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's (AMC) decision to close abattoir during Paryushan.

On Friday, Bhuj city police booked Abbas Habib Khatki, 42, and Hasan Ali Khatki, 32, under section 188 of the IPC for violation of teh notification issued by police authority. Habib and Hasan Khatki have a chicken shop near Bhuj Mutton Market.

Reuters

They were allegedly caught selling non-vegetarian food despite the ban on sale of meat. After booking them, they were issued notices instructing them to appear before the authorities concerned whenever they were summoned for the purpose of investigation, police officials said.

Meanwhile, the state government's decision prohibiting sale of non-vegetarian food items has been challenged in the Gujarat high court by an Anand-based poultry farm owner. Justice SH Vora sought an explanation from the state government for the prohibitory orders, but shifted the case to regular court. The hearing was supposed to take place before Justice RH Shukla, but it is now adjourned till September 6, a day after the Jain fasting period ends.

BCCL

In 2012, the state government had asked the municipalities to ban sale of chicken, meat and fish in the market during Paryushan. The Vapi municipality followed the order and restrained sale. The matter reached the high court on September 28, 2012, when a single-judge bench stayed the circular and permitted the sale of meat, fish and chicken. However, the state government immediately challenged the stay order. The hearing lasted before a division bench till late evening in and the high court finally prohibited the sale of meat in Vapi.