independence-day-meat-ban-draws-owaisi-s-criticism

AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi has criticised the closure of slaughterhouses and meat shops on Independence Day, describing the decision by municipal authorities as “callous” and “unconstitutional.”

 

The Hyderabad MP took to X on Wednesday to condemn the orders issued by several municipal corporations and questioned the link between meat consumption and the national celebration.

 

“Many municipal corporations across India seem to have ordered that slaughterhouses and meat shops should be closed on 15 August. Unfortunately, GHMC has also made a similar order. This is callous and unconstitutional,” Owaisi posted.

 

“What’s the connection between eating meat and celebrating Independence Day? Ninety-nine per cent of Telangana’s people eat meat. These meat bans violate people’s right to liberty, privacy, livelihood, culture, nutrition and religion,” added the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief.

 

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has issued orders for the closure of cattle slaughterhouses and retail beef shops on August 15 and August 16, marking Independence Day and Janmashtami, respectively.

 

The directive was issued under Section 533(b) of the GHMC Act, 1955, and sent to the Police Commissioners of Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda. Veterinary officers and other officials have been instructed to ensure strict compliance.

 

Orders have also been sent to Zonal and Additional Commissioners of GHMC, the Managing Director of the Telangana State Sheep and Goat Development Cooperative Federation, and the Director of the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department.

 

Similar orders have been issued in Mumbai. Samajwadi Party’s Maharashtra unit president and MLA Abu Azmi condemned the closure of meat shops in Kalyan-Dombivli on Independence Day.

 

“I strongly condemn this law. August 15 is Independence Day, the day people gained freedom from slavery. On that very day, you want to introduce a law that takes away people’s freedom? What will people eat? If this is correct, then close all hotels too. Poor people who run small businesses will be forced to shut down,” Azmi said.