Mayors still ‘unaware’ of minority panel’s notice 

Advocates appeared for Commissioners, says DMC source; North civic body head confirms April 18 as next date of hearing

A day after the Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC) sent notices to the three municipal corporations in the Capital, asking them to submit a report on the meat shops controversy by Friday, Mayors of South and East Delhi municipal corporations said they were yet to receive the show-cause notice.

North Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh could not be reached for comments.

According to the DMC’s notice, dated April 6, Mayors and Commissioners of the three municipal corporations were asked to appear in person before the panel’s chairman by April 8 (3 p.m.). The panel had asked them to clarify if there were any rules under which they had decided to call for shutting down meat vends during Navratri.

Asked about the DMC’s notice, South Delhi Mayor Mukesh Suryan said he was yet to receive it. He, however, said he had “no regrets” over his letter calling for closure of meat shops during the nine-day festival.

“I will do it again [call for meat vends stutdown]. 94% of people in Delhi favoured my call to close meat shops during Navratri. One should ask the DMC as to what they have done for the upliftment of minorities. Have they brought any change in the learning process at madrasas?” asked Mr. Suryan.

Despite multiple attempts to reach DMC chairperson Zakir Khan for a comment, he did not respond.

However, an official at the DMC said the notices were duly served on the Commissioners and the Mayors of the three civic bodies. “Advocates appeared on behalf of all the three Commissioners, but nobody appeared on behalf of the Mayors. The advocates who appeared sought more time to file their reply. The next date given to them is April 18,” the official said.