The Varanasi Municipal Corporation's decision to shutter meat shops along the Kanwar Yatra route during the Hindu holy month of Sawan has sparked a fresh row. This comes amid the ongoing legal battle over the Uttar Pradesh government's order to shopkeepers mandating them to display the names of the owners of the business establishments. Now, the VMC's decision to shut meat shops along the Kanwar Yatra route during the month of Sawan has been challenged in the Allahabad High Court.
The Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, through its national president Mohammad Suhail, has filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court, arguing that the directive infringes upon the fundamental rights of meat shop owners.
The petition argued that the VMC's order violates the right to engage in any occupation, trade, or business guaranteed under Article 19(1)(g) and the right to life with dignity and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. It highlighted that the practice of Kanwar Yatra during Sawan has traditionally allowed meat shops to remain open, and the authorities' decision creates an exclusion based on identity.
Suhail argued that the directive disregards the impact of the order on the livelihood of shopkeepers. He also said that the closure of businesses selling non-vegetarian items is unreasonable and violates their fundamental right to trade. Moreover, the decision infringes upon individual liberty and choice of food, affecting those who consume meat or have medical prescriptions for non-vegetarian food.
The petition also notes that many meat shops are owned by Muslims and are operated on rental premises. A sudden closure of the shops will hit their livelihoods.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Friday said that its interim order would continue till Monday and no eatery will be forced to display ownership details outside the establishment.