Petition Challenges Varanasi Municipal Corporation’s Closure Of Meat Shops On Kanwar Yatra Route

Prayagraj: A petition has been filed in the High Court challenging the Varanasi Municipal Corporation’s order to close the meat shops located on the Kanwar Yatra route during the month of Sawan.

The Municipal Corporation, in an order said that the meat shops on the Kanwar route should be closed to avoid inconvenience to the Kanwariyas. There are about 100 shops on this route. People associated with the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party filed a petition against this.

Petition alleges rights violation

The petition states that the municipal corporation’s directive violates the fundamental right to carry on any business under Article 19 (1) (g). It also violates the fundamental right to life with dignity and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The petition argues that the practice of Kanwariyas in Sawan is centuries old, during which meat shops have always remained open. By passing such instructions, the authorities are trying to create a boycott based on identity.

The petition also states that the authorities did not consider the directive’s impact on the livelihood of shopkeepers. It is unfair to close businesses based on selling non-vegetarian items.

The petition further argues that such a decision violates the fundamental right to personal liberty and the choice of food, as it prevents those willing to eat meat from doing so. It notes that many of these shops are on rent, and their sudden closure would affect them. According to the petition, people of the Muslim religion mostly own these meat shops.

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