Bombay HC Directs Urgent Consideration of Jain Trust's Plea for Meat Ban

The Bombay High Court has directed civic bodies in Maharashtra to urgently consider a Jain public charitable trust's request for a temporary ban on animal slaughter and meat sales during the community's religious event, Paryushan Parv. The trust highlighted concerns about non-violence and Jain beliefs.

The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed Maharashtra's civic bodies to quickly address a Jain public charitable trust's call for a temporary ban on animal slaughter and meat sales during the upcoming religious event 'Paryushan Parv'.

The Sheth Motishaw Lalbaug Jain Charities had petitioned the court to urge the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other local bodies in Pune, Mira Bhayandar, and Nashik to expedite their decision on the trust's representation.

The trust requested the ban from August 31 to September 7, citing the Jain principle of 'ahimsa' (non-violence) and the detrimental impact slaughter would have on their religious practices during the festival.

A division bench, composed of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, stated that there were no obstacles preventing the civic bodies from making a prompt decision.

The High Court concluded, "We accordingly direct the authorities to decide the representation of the petitioner seeking to impose a temporary ban on the slaughtering of animals and sale of meat during (from) August 31 to September 7. We urge the civic bodies to take a decision urgently since the festival commences from (on) August 31."

The trust argued that Jain community members are forced to witness animal slaughter during Paryushan Parv, infringing on their religious observances.

(With inputs from agencies.)