Political acrimony over the ban on meat by civic bodies in Mumbai during the Jain fasting days grew with ruling BJP ally Shiv Sena today vowing that it would ensure there is no such restriction.
The Sena’s stand came in the wake of Opposition Congress and NCP slamming yesterday’s order by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) – ruled by Sena and BJP – prohibiting meat sale for eight days from September 11 to 18 when the Jain community will observe fasting period ‘Paryushan’.
According to the order, the ban would be enforced on four days - September 10, 13, 17 and 18.
However, the NCP-controlled Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation also announced suspension of sale of meat till September 17 in view of ‘Paryushan’, though the party had yesterday joined the Congress in voicing reservation over it.
Taking a strident position on the matter, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said, “We will ensure there is no ban on sale of meat for the eight days.”
Interestingly, Sena is the dominant partner in BMC where it shares power with BJP.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)