How SDMC Mayor’s Attempt To Shut Meat Shops Did Nothing but Create Confusion

What was the purpose of the Mayor's letter? Is such an order of shutting meat shops during festivals even legal?

Image used for representation only.

(Photo: Namita Chauhan/ The Quint)

In an unprecedented move on 4 April, the Mayor of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) proposed to shut meat shops under his jurisdiction during the Navratri festival, which will last till 11 April.

In a letter to the South Delhi commissioner, Mayor Mukkesh Suryaan – a Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leader – argued that “in view of the sentiments and feelings of the general public, necessary directions may be issued to the officers concerned to take necessary action for the closure of meat shops during the nine-day period”.

This sudden proposal to blanket ban meat shops led to large-scale confusion and tension across meat shops in south Delhi.

And it's important to note here that an official order to shut down any form of trade can only be passed by the commissioner, not the mayor. And no such order did materialise.

So what was the purpose of such a letter? More so, will the order of shutting down meat shops during festivals hold up in court?

In today’s episode, you will hear from some of the meat-shop owners The Quint spoke to in South Delhi’s INA market. For a legal analysis of this proposed ban, you will also hear from Vakasha Sachdev, The Quint’s Legal Editor.