Meat shortage reaches AMU, students say mess fee may go up

Following the crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh, the Aligarh Muslim University's students union has written to the vice chancellor complaining meat going missing from the mess menu.

Previously, meat would be served twice a week, but now students are claiming that only vegetarian food is being served throughout the week.

Faizul Hasan, president of the AMU Students' Union, told ANI that the menu change may also lead to an increase in dining fees.

"There haven't been any meat dishes for the past six to seven days. The biggest problem in this is that it may lead to an increase in dining charges. Chicken prices have gone up from Rs. 120 to Rs. 220 per kilogram, vegetable prices have also increased. Students from middle and lower-middle classes may suffer due to this," Hasan said.

Hasan further said that a meeting between the 19 provosts of different halls and the Dean of Students' Welfare will discuss the issue soon.

"We are also thinking of writing a letter to the Chief Minister, asking him to solve the problems of those who have lost their livelihood after the crackdown on slaughterhouses," Hasan added.

AMU's Public Relations Officer, Omar Peerzada, asserted that the issue has risen in the university due to the shortage of meat.

"This is a clear case of demand and supply. This will affect a few issues, one of which is the price hike. For instance, fish and chicken prices also will go up. We are also opting for items like soyabean, rajma and other things. But it is a challenge for taste buds to adjust to the new menu," Peerzada said.

Abdul Qadir, a PhD student at the university, questioned the manner in which the state government has executed the decision.

Qadir asked, "If a certain amount of time was allotted during demonetisation move, why so much haste in shutting down illegal abattoirs? Why couldn't the government give some time to get the licenses issued or renewed?"

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a crackdown on illegal meat shops and slaughterhouses soon after he assuming office.

Following the crackdown, thousands of meat sellers and traders are on an indefinite strike.