After Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray’s sharp criticism of civic bodies over meat shop closure orders on Independence Day (August 15), Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has also opposed the move, calling it “wrong” and unnecessary for a national holiday. Several municipal corporations in the state, including Kalyan Dombivli and Malegaon, have announced bans on the sale of meat and closure of slaughterhouses on August 15.
‘Ban wrong on national holidays’: Ajit Pawar
Speaking to media, Ajit Pawar said such restrictions are typically observed on faith-centric festivals like Ashadhi Ekadashi, Mahashivratri, or Mahavir Jayanti out of respect for religious sentiments.
“It is wrong to impose such a ban on August 15. Major cities have residents from different castes and religions. People may accept it for a day if it’s an emotional issue linked to faith. But imposing such orders on Maharashtra Day, Independence Day, or Republic Day is difficult,” Pawar said.
Fadnavis on 'meat ban' in Maharashtra on Aug 15
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state government has no interest in regulating what people eat, dismissing the controversy over the closure of abattoirs on August 15 as 'unnecessary'.
‘Our Navratri prasad has prawns’: Aaditya Thackeray
Aaditya Thackeray went a step further, demanding the suspension of the KDMC commissioner, saying it was not their job to decide citizens’ dietary choices. “In our house, even during Navratri, our prasad has prawns and fish- this is our tradition, our Hinduism. What we eat on Independence Day is our right and freedom. We will definitely eat non-veg,” Thackeray asserted, calling the order an unwarranted intrusion into personal choice.
In a post on X, he wrote, “The KDMC commissioner has no right to interfere. Instead of imposing vegetarianism, fix the bad roads and civic services. Citizens will eat what they want- vegetarian or non-vegetarian.”
Nagpur joins list of Maharashtra cities enforcing August 15 meat shop ban
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has announced that all slaughterhouses, meat outlets, and shops selling meat within city limits will remain closed on August 15, citing the twin occasions of Independence Day and Gokul Ashtami. The festival, marking the birth of Lord Krishna, coincides with Independence Day this year. The decision aligns Nagpur with other civic bodies in Maharashtra that have issued similar directives, sparking political debate in recent days.Order issued, violators face action
According to an official statement, the order was issued on August 12 by NMC Deputy Commissioner (Solid Waste Management) Rajesh Bhagat. It mandates a complete halt to the slaughter of animals and sale of meat on the day. The directive warns that violators will face strict action from the municipal corporation’s flying squad.
Multiple civic bodies issue similar orders
Alongside KDMC and Malegaon, the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation also announced a two-day ban- August 15 for Gokul Ashtami and August 20 for Paryushan Parva, a major Jain festival. The order prohibits slaughtering animals and selling meat within city limits on these dates, warning of strict action against violators.
