The Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation has temporarily banned meat within their limits from September 11 to 18 in Maharashtra.
Close on the heels of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) suspending the sale of meat in its markets for four days, now the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, controlled by the NCP, has announced a similar measure till September 17, as these dates fall within the eight-day Jain fasting period of 'Paryushan'.
Interestingly, NCP had yesterday voiced reservation over the BMC meat ban order, with the party along with Congress, dubbing it as a BJP ploy to polarise voters with an eye on the elections to the civic body due in early 2017.
The ward officer of Award in Navi Mumbai said in a statement that there will be no sale of meat from today till September 17.
BMC recently announced suspension of meat sale and shutting down of its slaughter house at Deonar in suburban Mumbai on September 10, 13, 17 and 18 in deference to the sentiments of the Jain community members, who during 'Paryushan' even shun all root vegetables.
The ban covers mutton and chicken, and excludes fish and eggs. It also extends to private businesses selling raw meat.
The ban on sale of meat during 'Paryushan' has been in force since 1964, when the BMC passed a resolution directing a two-day prohibition on sale of meat in response to the demands by Jains, a powerful community which holds key stakes in business and industry in Mumbai.
In 2004, the Congress-NCP government passed another resolution endorsing the two-day ban. Since then, the ban has been extended to four days across Mumbai every September.
The BMC ban on meat came close on the heels of the adjoining Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation passing a resolution to ban sale of meat in the satellite town's civic markets for the entire 'Paryushan' season.
Supporting the ban, Manoj Kotak, BJP leader in the BMC, said, "Lord Mahavir is an avatar of Vishnu. If the Jain community feels that harming animals will hurt the community's sentiments during 'Paryushan', then what is wrong in demanding a ban? When people refrain from drinking liquor on October 2, do politicians question their decision?"
The Opposition Congress and NCP in Maharashtra had yesterday slammed the decision to ban meat sale during the upcoming fasting period of Jains in Mumbai and neighbouring Mira Bhayander, saying BJP-Shiv Sena were trying to "polarise" voters ahead of municipal corporation polls.
The BMC elections will be held February 2017.
State NCP president Sunil Tatkare had said the government should have taken a decision by consensus to ensure the sentiments of Jains and rest of the society are not hurt.