Gujarat Government Bans Non-Veg Food During 'Paryushan'

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government has banned slaughter of animals and birds and also sale of chicken, meat and fish in its municipalities from August 29 to September 5 as Jain community observes fasts during Paryushan, one of the significant festivals of jains. The jain religion theory presses on 'Amhinsa' as the mode to live life.

In big cities of state like Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara, there is no ban of sale of poultry, meat and fish, though slaughterhouses will remain closed. The matter has reached Gujarat high court which has demanded explanation from the government.

A 2008 Supreme Court order approved conclusion of abattoirs during 'Paryushan' to value religious sentiments of the minority Jain community. With this order, apart from closure of slaughter houses in municipality limits, the director of municipalities has also banned sale of meat and fish by issuing a notice on August 22.

This matter was first heard by Justice S H Vora, who asked the Gujarat Government to file an answer explaining the conclusion. The judge asked to place this case before an suitable bench. Petitioner Jay Thakkar's advocate said that "The matter will be taken up for hearing on Thursday,"

Deputy Chief minister Nitin Patel said, "Government has given orders following earlier order of SC and present legal provisions which allow banning of slaughter of animals and sale of meat and fish. This practice is being observed for the past several years."