Not only a Hindutva idea: Yogi Adityanath merely enforcing existing meat law

According to a report of Nagar Palika Parishads, 140 slaughterhouses and over 50,000 meat shops were running illegally in UP. Around 1000 illegal shops were running in Lucknow and the Lucknow Municipal Corporation decided to close 200 this week.

According to the Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1959, it is mandatory for the local bodies to provide fresh and hygienic meat to people. But many of us were not aware of the fact that this rule has been there for ages and not wielded by the UP government. Sections 421 to 430 state about rules for the functioning of a slaughterhouse, sale of animals and control of private slaughterhouses.  

Therefore, what newly-appointed chief minister Yogi Adityanath has been doing regarding the meat law, is nothing but enforcing the already-existing Act.  According to a report of Nagar Palika Parishads, 140 slaughterhouses and over 50,000 meat shops were running illegally in UP and thus the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has decided to act against them.

Around 1000 illegal shops were running in Lucknow and the Lucknow Municipal Corporation decided to close 200 this week. And a number of shops have already down their shutters so that they don’t have to face a raid or interrogation of the officials.  

"The system has failed as neither butchers take the pains to seek a licence nor are officials conscious of their duties. All municipal bodies should construct a slaughterhouse as per Slaughter House Rules 2001, but UP has failed in doing so," a UPPCB official was quoted as saying by The Times of India.