The Sanyunkt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti (SHSS) – an organisation of 22 Hindu groups, including the Shiv Sena and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad – has categorically stated that it would close down all meat shops in Haryana's Gurugram if they are found to be open during Navratri.
The Samiti said the move to shut shops during Navratri – which falls between 10 October and 18 October – was taken as ‘the district administration did not take any decision’ despite their requests, Hindustan Times reported.
The Shiv Sena has reportedly constituted four teams with 125 members each to ensure that the shops are closed down.
“If any shop opens during the festival, we would close it. If anything happens, we will take care of it,” Shiv Sena District President Gautam Saini told Hindustan Times.
The meat shops in the city’s Sadar Bazar locality had reportedly already put blinders and curtains a day before Navratri upon the insistence of Hindu groups.
Those in-charge of meat shops have reportedly expressed fear, with some having already shut their shops to avoid any trouble.
Meanwhile, the police has asserted they will not let any meat shop be forcefully closed in the next one week.
This incident comes after meat shops in Gurugram have reportedly been forced to close down two times last year – in March and September.
(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.)