Maharashtra government not interested in regulating people's food choices: CM Fadnavis

The Hindu

2 days ago

The Maharashtra government was not interested in regulating people's food choices, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday (August 13, 2025) and described as 'unnecessary' the raging controversy over closure of abattoirs and meat shops in some cities on Independence Day.
He feigned ignorance about the existence of a 37-year-old government resolution (GR) allowing closure of abattoirs on certain days, including Independence Day, and noted municipal corporations take such decisions on their own.
Some civic bodies in Maharashtra have ordered the closure of slaughterhouses and shops selling meat on August 15, triggering a controversy.
'The state government is not interested in (knowing) who eats what. We have many other issues to address,' Mr. Fadnavis told reporters here. 'Some people even went ahead and called vegetarians people as impotent. This nonsense should stop at once,' he said.
When asked about some municipal corporations ordering closure of abattoir on August 15, the CM, 'The state never took such a decision. A government resolution (GR) was issued in August 1988. Municipal corporations take such decisions (ordering closure of slaughterhouses) on their own. Even I was not aware of such a GR existing for such a long period.' 'I also learned about it (GR) through the media. Similar decisions were taken when (Shiv Sena UBT leader) Uddhav Thackeray was chief minister of Maharashtra (November 2019-June 22),' he opined.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) expressed displeasure over some civic bodies ordering the closure of slaughterhouses and shops selling meat on August 15, saying it was wrong to impose such a ban.
Such types of restrictions are generally imposed considering faith-related sensitivities on occasions like Ashadhi Ekadashi, Mahashivratri, Mahavir Jayanti, Mr. Pawar said.
'It is wrong to impose such a ban. In major cities, people of different castes and religions reside. If it is an emotional issue, then people accept it (ban) for a day. But if you clamp such orders on Maharashtra Day, Independence Day and Republic Day, then it is difficult,' Mr. Pawar told reporters.
Civic bodies of Kalyan Dombivali in Thane district near Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur have issued orders directing the closure of meat shops on August 15. There are reports that the Malegaon Municipal Corporation in Nashik district, too, has issued such an order.
Nagpur Municipal Corporation announces closure of slaughterhouse
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Wednesday (August 13, 2025) joined the list of civic bodies in Maharashtra to announce the closure of slaughterhouses, outlets and shops selling meat within city limits on August 15 in view of festivals.
A few civic bodies in the state have earlier ordered the closure of slaughterhouses and shops selling meat on August 15, kicking up a political row.
Independence Day and Gokul Ashtami, a Hindu festival marking the birth of Lord Krishna, are being celebrated on the same day (August 15) this year.
A statement issued by the Nagpur civic body said that on the occasion of Independence Day and Shri Krishna Jayanti (Janmashtami) on Friday (August 15, 2025) all slaughterhouses and meat shops in the city will remain shut.
NMC Deputy Commissioner of the Solid Waste Management Department Rajesh Bhagat issued the order on August 12.
The order also states that if anyone violates the order, action will be taken against them by the flying squad of the municipal corporation.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation has earlier announced the closure of slaughterhouses, outlets and shops selling meat within the city limits on two days - August 15 and 20 - in view of festivals.
It stated the closure was ordered on August 15 on the occasion of Gokul Ashtami, and August 20, which marks the beginning of 'Paryushan Parva' - a key festival of the Jain community characterised by fasting and prayers.
The Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) in Thane district near Mumbai has also directed the closure of meat shops on August 15.
There are reports that the Malegaon Municipal Corporation in Nashik district has issued a similar order. Opposition parties in the state have slammed the BJP-led state government over the orders by the civic bodies.
NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad has questioned such a ban. 'This is too much. Who are you to decide what people will eat and when?' he had said on X. He also announced that he would host a mutton party that day.
Mr. Pawar has also expressed his displeasure over some civic bodies ordering the closure of slaughterhouses and shops.