BJP MLA Seeks Closure Of Meat Shops During Navratri In Delhi; Opposition Says 'Shut Eateries During Ramzan'

Last Updated:March 25, 2025, 19:43 IST

This has sparked mixed reactions from opposition parties, with some opposing the move, while others, including a Congress leader, supporting it, saying that all faiths should be respected

The call for the closure of meat shops in the national capital was made by BJP Patparganj MLA Ravinder Singh Negi on Monday. (AP file photo)

A political debate erupted on Tuesday after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called for meat shops in Delhi to be closed during the upcoming Navratri festival, stating it as a “sacred" event dedicated to Maa Durga.

This has sparked mixed reactions from opposition parties, with some opposing the move, while others, including a Congress leader, supporting it, saying that all faiths should be respected.

The call for the closure of meat shops in the national capital was made by BJP Patparganj MLA Ravinder Singh Negi. On Monday, he had announced that he would write to the District Magistrate (DM), the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the Commissioner to formalise the request.

Negi also stated that, if the directive was not enforced across Delhi, he would take steps to ensure the shops were closed in his own constituency of Patparganj.

“Navratri comes twice a year and for us Sanatanis, it is a sacred festival dedicated to Maa Durga. We will request everyone to shut meat shops during these nine days," Negi had stated.

Opposition Reacts To Call For Meat Shop Closures

Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi salmmed the BJP’s call, questioning whether the party would start deciding what people can eat during religious festivals. “Now will the BJP decide who will eat what on Eid? Will the BJP decide who will eat what in which month and who will wear what clothes?" he asked.

Pratapgarhi further stated that he wondered whether BJP President JP Nadda or Prime Minister Modi listened to the statements made by their own MLAs.

“If you call the Crown Prince, will you also tell him that Navratri is going on in our place, you should only eat meethi sewai, you cannot eat non-veg. Will they say this to the guests coming to the Rashtrapati Bhawan" he added sarcastically.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav commented indirectly on the issue. “From an English newspaper, I got to know that an MLA said that if somebody can make good replacement in Delhi, that is Yogi (Adityanath) but I don’t know who is going to be replaced."

Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq also weighed in, expressing concern about the secular fabric of the country. “This country is based on secular sentiments. Then similarly, in restaurants, carts should be shut during Ramzan. This is an imposition by a fringe element. Imposing one’s religion on anyone is wrong," he said.

Congress MP Imran Masood, offering a more personal perspective on the BJP’s call, stressed that mutual respect between religious communities.

“During Navratri, Mandi goes into a very bad condition, it gets shut down. People from one religion should respect people from other religion. This is a very basic thing. We shouldn’t hurt each other’s religious sentiments," Masood said.

Chaitra Navratri, a Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, will begin on March 30 and end on April 6. This year, it coincides with the end of Ramadan, which will conclude on March 31.

News politics BJP MLA Seeks Closure Of Meat Shops During Navratri In Delhi; Opposition Says 'Shut Eateries During Ramzan'