Nagpur Bans All Meat Shops and Slaughterhouses on August 15 for Independence Day and Janmashtami

Nagpur: Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) declared that all slaughterhouses and meat shops in the city will remain closed on August 15, coinciding with both Independence Day and Janmashtami as per the Marathi calendar this year.

In an official notice, Rajesh Bhagat, Deputy Commissioner of Solid Waste Management, stated that the ban applies to all licensed meat sellers within NMC limits, with civic flying squads instructed to take action against violators. The closure follows a Maharashtra government directive, and officials confirmed that the Janmashtami-related restrictions were approved by the municipal commissioner.

A similar order was issued a day earlier by the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), extending the ban to butchers dealing in goats, sheep, chicken, and large animals. The restriction will be in effect from midnight of August 14 until the end of August 15.

The directives have sparked sharp political backlash. NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Jitendra Awhad criticised the move, questioning, “Who is the commissioner to tell us what to eat and what not to? Bridges are collapsing, roads are in terrible shape, and instead of fixing them, the administration is busy banning food.” He also announced plans to host a “mutton party” on Friday as a form of protest.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray called for the KDMC commissioner’s suspension over the decision, labelling it an infringement on personal choice.

Defending the ban, Kalyan MLA Vishwanath Bhoir from the ruling Shiv Sena argued that abstaining from meat for a single day should not be seen as a major issue, especially considering the religious significance of Janmashtami.