With Kanwar Yatra around, opening of meat shops in the precincts of national Capital has led to power was between the BJP led Delhi Government and same party holding the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. While the Culture and Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said that meat shops will remain shut on Kanwar Yatra routes in Delhi, MCD retorted saying there is no provision to shut meat shops on the Kanwar Yatra routes under the DMC ACT, 1957. Mishra had said the decision was taken by the Delhi Government and the MCD.
Speaking to reporters while conducting an inspection from Apsara Border to Karol Bagh along with mayor Raja Iqbal Singh Mishra said, “MCD has taken a decision, and Government has also decided that all the meat shops will be closed.” The kanwar yatra, scheduled from July 11 to 25, will see lakhs of devotees from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi passing through the capital.
However in a written reply to a question in the MCD House, the civic body on Thursday said that under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, there is no provision to shut meat shops on the routes of the kanwar yatra. However, in the past few years, it has been observed that owners of these establishments voluntarily keep their shops closed during the annual pilgrimage.
“(MCD’s) regional offices have been directed to run a special campaign against illegal animal slaughter and sale of meat in the open to ensure that the religious sentiments of anyone are not hurt,” the written reply said during the monthly House proceedings.
It also said that civic officials have been asked to ensure that meat shops along the kanwar yatra routes are “covered.” Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh echoed the civic body’s legal position.
“We will make a request to meat shop owners to voluntarily shut their shops in deference to the religious sentiments associated with the kanwar yatra,” he stated.
“Those without valid licences will not be allowed to operate. For those who are legal, we are only making a request. This is about mutual respect among communities,” Mayor added.
A meat shop association member said that the Government should not link business with festivals. “We respect all religions and sentiments, but this is not a one-day event,” said Vivek Kumar, who runs Vikas chicken and meat shop. Several families are dependent on such businesses - what will they do in such a situation? , he sought to know.
Delhi Police have mapped major pedestrian routes for the yatris. Key corridors include Apsara border to Rajokri border via Shahdara, ISBT and NH8; and Bhopura border to Singhu/Tikri border via Seelampur and Peeragarhi. Additional routes connect Bhopura to ISBT Bridge, Maharajpur to Badarpur via Mathura Road, and Kalindi Kunj to MB Road.