BJP Patparganj MLA Ravinder Singh Negi has called for the closure of meat shops during the upcoming Navratri festival, citing religious sentiments and the sanctity of the festival. He said that even if the directive is not enforced across Delhi, he will push to ensure that shops in his constituency remain closed during this period.
Meat shops to be closed on Tuesdays in Patparganj
Negi said that he recently visited some temples on a Tuesday and was troubled to see a meat shop operating in front of one of the temples. "I requested the traders to close their shops on Tuesdays, and they agreed. Now, the shops in Patparganj remain shut on Tuesdays," he said. He further stated that keeping meat shops closed during Navratri, especially near temples, would help maintain the spiritual atmosphere during the festival. "As Sanatani people, we would like the meat shops to stay closed in front of temples during this auspicious period," he said.
Official request to DM and MCD Commissioner
Negi said he plans to write to the District Magistrate (DM) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Commissioner to make this request official. "After 27 years, we’ve formed the government, and I’ll be writing a letter to the DM and DC to request that, if not across all of Delhi, meat shops remain shut during Navratri, at least in my assembly constituency," he said.
Similar action taken in Vinod Nagar
According to an article by The Hindu, last year Negi, who was serving as a BJP councillor at the time, had allegedly forced meat shops in east Delhi’s Vinod Nagar area to remain shut during the nine-day Hindu festival of Navratri. Reports suggested that shop owners were pressured to close their businesses, with some expressing concern over the financial impact. However, Negi maintained that the decision was made to respect religious traditions and maintain the sanctity of the festival.
Madhya Pradesh followed a similar approach
Similarly, The Economic Times reported that last year Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced an initiative to preserve the sanctity and blessings of the Narmada River by banning liquor and meat shops in religious towns across the state. Yadav said that these steps were necessary to maintain the spiritual environment and uphold the religious significance of such towns.
