Kalyan Civic Body Orders Closure Of Meat Shops On August 15, Sparks Row
The Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation's order banning the sale of meat on Independence Day has triggered a row, drawing sharp reactions from the Opposition NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders who called it an infringement of people's food choices.
Responding to the notice issued by the KDMC, NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad on Sunday said he would host a mutton party on August 15 to highlight the "freedom" of subjective food preferences.
As per the KDMC order, all slaughterhouses and shops of licensed butchers of goats, sheep, chickens, and large animals must remain closed for 24 hours from midnight of August 14 till midnight of August 15.
The civic body warned of action under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, 1949, if any animal is slaughtered or meat is sold during the specified period.
When contacted, KDMC Deputy Commissioner (Licenses) Kanchan Gaikwad told PTI that a similar order was issued every year since 1988 as part of a civic resolution.
Ms Gaikwad, who signed the order, emphasised the move was in keeping with long-standing administrative resolutions to ensure public order and observance of important national occasions.
However, the Opposition was not convinced.
"I am planning to host a mutton party that day. On the day we got freedom, you are taking away our freedom to eat what we want," Mr Awhad, who represents the Kalwa-Mumbai assembly constituency in Thane district, told PTI.
Earlier on Sunday, Mr Awhad stated on X, "This is too much. Who are you to decide what people will eat and when?" Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray demanded the suspension of the KDMC commissioner for dictating the food choices of people.
"Who is the commissioner to tell people whether they can eat non-veg or not?" he asked.
कोण कधी मांसाहार करावा हे पण सरकार ठरवणार का ? #kalyandombivali pic.twitter.com/P6TrKQFWI9
— Dr.Jitendra Awhad (@Awhadspeaks) August 10, 2025
Bhiwandi MP and NCP (SP) leader Suresh Mhatre too strongly opposed the restriction, calling it an infringement of people's traditional food habits.
"What one should eat and what one shouldn't is a question of the people. The local fishermen community eats vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Food habits are shaped by customs prevalent in different parts of the state. The ban on the sale of meat is incomprehensible," Mhatre told reporters.
He said dietary preferences are deeply tied to cultural identity, particularly in coastal communities like the Agri Koli, and that civic authorities should respect these traditions.
Kalyan (West) MLA and ruling Shiv Sena leader Vishwanath Bhoir, however, defended the KDMC's move.
"People are not opposing the notice. What's the issue if one doesn't eat meat one day? The Opposition only knows how to criticise," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
House adjourned till Tuesdayfollowing opposition's protest
1 2 L ucknow: Speaker Satish Mahana adjourned the proceedings of the Assembly till Tuesday morning following protest over mistreatment of leader of opposition Mata Prasad Pandey. The first day of the Monsoon Session got inundated in din that prevailed since the beginning, leading to Speaker Satish Mahana rushing for the day's business before adjourning the House until Tuesday morning. As the House session began on Monday, SP member Sangram Yadav stood up and objected to the alleged mistreatment meted out to Pandey when he had gone to meet the traders in Gorakhpur. He urged the Speaker to intervene in the matter. Pandey then stood up and said he was shown black flags and was stopped from proceeding ahead in the CM's constituency. He alleged that it was the handiwork of "BJP workers". After the CM's reply, the SP members jumped into the well of the House and began shouting anti-govt slogans. Pandey then demanded an inquiry into the incident and said that if he is found guilty action should be taken against him and if others are found guilty action should be taken against the alleged protesters. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Amid ongoing din, parliamentary affairs minister Suresh Khanna said that it was the political agenda of the SP and there was no need for an inquiry. The Speaker tried to pacify the SP members, who by the time had sat in the well. Unable to pacify the SP members, the Speaker first adjourned the Question Hour for 15 minutes and later adjourned the entire Question Hour till 12.20pm. However, when the proceedings began, the reluctant SP members continued with their agitation forcing the Speaker to rush through the day's business before adjourning the House till Tuesday morning. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
UP steps up security in 7 dists along Nepal border for I-day
Lucknow: In the run-up to Independence Day , security agencies have intensified the vigilance along the India–Nepal border, placing all seven bordering districts —Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Siddharthnagar, and Maharajganj — under heightened watch. A high alert came in effect on Monday, with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) tightening patrols across all entry points from Nepal in the state. Police in border stations were ordered to remain on full alert, with thorough checks of all pedestrians, vehicles, identity documents, and belongings. The night-vision and CCTV surveillance were made operational at check posts, while metal detectors were used for screening. As part of heightened security measures, 500 additional SSB personnel were deployed to fortify the porous Indo-Nepal border. The CCTV surveillance and ID checks were made mandatory at all entry-exit points. Temporary border outposts were also set up to monitor any suspicious movement. The 42nd Battalion of the SSB launched dual-patrolling operations, where troops conducted simultaneous front-facing patrols to prevent infiltration. Special checkpoints were erected even in remote forested areas. In Balrampur, police and SSB teams maintained 24/7 joint surveillance along the border. Village security committees were also activated to alert authorities of suspicious movements. SSB Commandant Ganga Singh said the intelligence networks have been activated to identify and monitor anti-national elements. Personnel were given clear instructions to take immediate action against any suspicious activity. Locals were urged to report unfamiliar or suspicious individuals to police or SSB without delay. Bahraich SP Ram Nayan Singh said police stations in Rupaidiha, Motipur, Murtiha, Sujauli, and Nawabganj, which are adjacent to Nepal border, were put on alert. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Mahajan to hoist Tricolour in Nashik, Tatkare in Raigad
Nashik: State govt on Monday issued a circular stating that BJP minister Girish Mahajan will hoist the Tricolour in Nashik and NCP's Aditi Tatkare will hoist it in Raigad, even as the tussle over the district guardianship between Mahayuti alliance partners remains unresolved. "As per the govt circular, the national Tricolour will be hoisted by WRD minister Girish Mahajan in Nashik," confirmed a senior officer from the district administration here. Shiv Sena minister Uday Samant, who was in Nashik at the time the govt issued the circular, was quick to respond, saying this does not mean that the issue of appointment of the district guardian minister has been resolved. "Shiv Sena has not given up its claim on the Nashik district guardian minister post. The current announcement is limited only to the flag hoisting programme. Even today, we say that for the post of guardianship of Raigad, Bharat Gogawale should be considered, and school education minister Dada Bhuse should be considered for the Nashik post," Samant told reporters. Earlier this year, on Jan 18, the appointment of Aditi Tatkare as the guardian minister of Raigad and Girish Mahajan as the guardian minister of Nashik was announced. However, due to internal tensions in Mahayuti, the guardian minister announcements for both districts were withdrawn the very next day. In Raigad, NCP's Aditi Tatkare and Shiv Sena's Bharat Gogawale are in a tussle for the post, while in Nashik, BJP minister Girish Mahajan and Sena's Dada Bhuse are vying for it. There were speculations that the Tricolour in Nashik would be hoisted by former deputy minister and now minister for food and civil supplies, Chhagan Bhujbal, but instead, he has been asked to go to Gondia for flag hoisting. As per the govt circular, the Governor of Maharashtra, C P Radhakrishnan, will hoist the national Tricolour at Pune, while deputy CM Eknath Shinde will hoist the flag in Thane, deputy CM Ajit Pawar in Beed, BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil in Ahilyanagar, Sena minister Gulabrao Patil in Jalgaon, Sena minister Dada Bhuse in Amravati, BJP minister Jaykumar Rawal in Dhule, and NCP minister Manikrao Kokate in Nandurbar. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
