Delhi can't force meat shops to shut on Kanwar route, says MCD - 'No legal provision'

Kanwar Yatra

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) said on Thursday that there is no legal provision under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, to force meat shops to shut down along Kanwar Yatra routes. The clarification came a day after Delhi’s Culture and Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said that meat shops would remain closed during the Kanwar Yatra and claimed this was a joint decision of the Delhi government and the MCD, news agency PTI reported.

The annual Kanwar Yatra, a religious pilgrimage held during the Hindu month of Shravan (Saawan), began today (July 11) and will end on July 25. Lakhs of Shiva devotees, called Kanwariyas, participate in this yatra, walking long distances carrying holy water from the Ganga.

In a written reply during the monthly MCD House proceedings, the civic body stated that the DMC Act, 1957, does not allow any official order to shut meat shops during the yatra. However, MCD mentioned that in recent years, many meat shop owners have voluntarily chosen to close their establishments during this period, out of respect for the religious sentiments of the Kanwariyas.

"The regional offices have been directed to run a special campaign against illegal animal slaughter and sale of meat in the open to ensure that the religious sentiments of anyone are not hurt," the written reply said during the monthly House proceedings.

As per Hindustan Times, the officials have also been asked to make sure that meat shops located along the yatra routes remain covered and maintain hygiene standards.

Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh supported the civic body’s legal stand, saying, "We will make a request to meat shop owners to voluntarily shut their shops in deference to the religious sentiments associated with the Kanwar Yatra.” However, he made it clear that shops operating without valid licenses would not be allowed to function during this time, PTI reported.

As part of preparations for the Kanwar Yatra, 25 special camps have been set up across the city. MCD has deployed 22 doctors to work in shifts at these camps, supported by 10 on-call medical professionals. In addition, 62 support staff and 12 mobile dental vans have been assigned to offer round-the-clock health services to the pilgrims.

Extra cleaning staff and equipment have been placed along the yatra routes. Regional sanitation and engineering officers have been instructed to keep the roads clean and prevent waterlogging. Water tankers and suction machines have also been stationed at key points along the route.

Meanwhile, some meat shop owners have raised their concerns as well. “We respect all religions, but the government should not mix business with religious events. This is not a one-day festival. Many families depend entirely on these businesses for survival,” Vivek Kumar, who runs a meat shop in Delhi, was quoted by PTI as saying.

Officials have already banned the sale of meat on footpaths, near Kanwar camps, or in open areas along the pilgrimage route.