Ramzan, Navratri to fall together; BJP demands meat shops be closed

New Delhi: While the festival of Ramzan is about to fall at the end of this month or starting of next, BJP leaders in Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir demanded the closure of meat shops during Navratri, citing Hindu sentiments. What is notable is that even Congress leader and MP from Uttar Pradesh Imran Masood backed the demand, India Today reported.

Delhi BJP MLAs Ravinder Negi and Neeraj Basoya incited the new demand, which was later picked up by their colleagues in J&K, claiming that the operation of meat shops hurts Hindu sentiments.

India Today quoted BJP MLA Negi, "During Navratri, meat shops are set up even in front of temples. It is a Hindu festival, and seeing meat shops hurts our sentiments. Hindu sentiments are hurt. On Meethi Eid, one can eat sewaiyan—there is no need to slaughter a goat."

He asserted that if his demand is not enforced across Delhi, he will ensure that meat shops remain closed in his constituency, Patparganj.

His fellow BJP MLA Basoya said that meat shops should be closed during Navratri and they should not be in residential areas. He claimed that meat sellers indulge in hooliganism and added that he would write a letter to close meat shops in residential areas. He wanted meat shops not to be operated around residential areas around the year and also should not be permitted to be operated in commercial zones. Claiming that there is a significant rise in meat shops in Delhi, he claimed that it was the Aam Aadmi Party which promoted them.

Congress MP Imran Masood backed BJP’s call, saying that everyone’s faith should be respected. He said that he himself does not eat meat, and there is no issue with Muslims avoiding it for 10 days.

“No one will be harmed if Muslims refrain from eating meat for this short period," India Today quoted the leader.