Bombay HC stays ban on sale of meat on Sept. 17

The Bombay High Court on Monday stayed the ban on sale of meat in Maharashtra on September 17.

The high court, however, said all slaughter houses would be shut on that day.

"There was a clear inconsistency by the state government in their statement and no clear vision in regard to the meat ban. Since 2004, no such move has been made banning meat for specific days, which is why the High Court quashed the ban," Azaz Naqvi, a lawyer present in the hearing said.

"The court challenged the ban asking how a community's sentiments can get hurt by the sale of a particular meat. What about fish or egg?" the lawyer added.

The Shiv Sena had opposed the ban, openly disagreeing with its ally BJP, which wanted the slaughter and sale of meat to be restricted for eight days, not just four.

The ban on the slaughter and sale of meat for a Jain festival of fasting known as "Paryushan" had been opposed by many political parties.

The Bombay High Court had last week criticized the ban, saying it did not fall in sync with the 'progressive' state.

"There is a progressive look to Mumbai. These are regressive steps. We understand the sentiment part. But purchase is an independent choice," the court had said.