Meat shops to remain shut during Navratri in Palwal: Minister

Minister of State for Sports Gaurav Gautam has ordered all meat shops to be shut in Palwal during Navratri. The Haryana Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has demanded the same order in Gurugram, claiming the majority of shops there were running illegally and slaughtering animals in open.

Addressing a function today, Gautam announced that no such shops would open during the scared nine days and strict legal action would be taken against those violating the rules.

“It's Navratri and nobody will open a meat shop in Palwal. Anybody who tries to flout the norms or creates any trouble will be dealt with strictly,” said Gautam.

Palwal has a large population of Meo-Muslims who are primarily non-vegetarians. The district was declared sensitive in Nuh riots as well.

Meanwhile, VHP members met DC Gurugram Ajay Kumar and submitted a memorandum seeking a similar order in the city. “We have a huge number of such shops even near temples. The majority have no license and follow no protocols. You can see caged birds, meat being on public display and even slaughtering in open in many areas. It's Navratri time and these shops should be shut. The administration should issue a closure order like other cities in country,” read the memorandum submitted by the VHP.