Delhi meat ban controversy: A 'ban' that is not

The Delhi Minority Commission issued notices to the top brass of the three Delhi civic bodies, questioning the legality of the “ban order”. While politics over the meat shop “ban order” is raging, the South Delhi civic body is yet to issue an official order to ensure the closure of meat shops.

The Delhi Minority Commission has sent out notices to South, East, and North civic bodies of the national capital, asking under what legal provisions did the three civic bodies order or instruct the closure of meat shops in their areas during Navratri.

In the notices, sent on Thursday, the minority commission has asked the top brass of the three civic bodies to respond by Friday.

The controversy started after South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) Mayor Mukkesh Suryaan wrote a letter to the SDMC commissioner, instructing him to ensure all meat shops operating in the SDMC area remain closed during Navratri.

In the letter dated April 4, Mukkesh Suryaan asked the SDMC commissioner to ensure all meat shops in the SDMC limits remain closed till April 11, the last day of the Navrati festival. Suryaan cited that during the Navratri, a majority of Delhi households don’t even eat garlic and onions and hence, “keeping in view the sentiments and feelings of general public” necessary orders may be issued for the closure of meat shops.

Meanwhile, Suryaan, while speaking to India Today, said he was not afraid of any notices coming towards him over this issue.

The impact of the letter started to show from the very next day. The confusion and fear triggered many meat shop owners to keep their shutters down. However, when the official orders were not issued by April 6, the meat shops reopened.

Nisar Ahmed, who has been running his meat shop in the INA Market for the past 25 years, said, “The letter created confusion. Many were afraid. However, none of us are shutting our shops as we have not received any official order from the SDMC officials.”