BJP distances itself from civic bodies' decision to ban meat

The Maharashtra BJP today said the controversy over meat ban during 'Paryushan', the Jain fasting period, was politically motivated and was aimed at maligning the party's image, as the state government had nothing to do with the decision.
The controversial ban which attracted a barrage of criticism was today revoked by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai.
Addressing a press conference here, Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said the decision to ban the sale of meat during the period had been taken by the respective civic bodies in Mumbai and the neighbouring Mira Bhaynder and Navi Mumbai.
"BJP has nothing to do with it. Municipal corporations are autonomous bodies under the 74th Constitutional amendment. The state government does not interfere in the day-to-day functioning of the local body," he said.

Bhandari also pointed out that this temporary ban was being imposed since 1964 in the state.
"Even in 1994 the Supreme Court had observed that the meat ban to respect sentiments of a particular section of the society was justified and there was nothing wrong with not consuming meat for one or two days in a year," Bhandari said.

He further said that BJP was not in power in 1964 or 1994. Maharashtra government had issued notifications in 2002, 2003 and 2004, banning meat sale for two days. In 2004, the ban was extended to four days and in 2011 it was further extended to five days, he claimed.

"From 1964 to 2011 the BJP was not in power in the state and the Centre. Why the sentiments of 'secular people' were not hurt back then," he asked.
The BJP-led government in the state had not issued any circular regarding the meat ban, he said.