The Supreme Court of India fully endorsed the Bombay high court’s decision of lifting the ban on sale of meat imposed by Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) in Mumbai, during the Jain festival of Paryushan.
The decision was given by a bench of Justices T S Thakur and Kurian Joseph, while dismissing a petition by a trust run by the Jain community. The trust had challenged the HC’s interim order of lifting the ban.
What was the petitioner’s view?
According to the petitioner – Shree Tapagachiya Atma Kamal Labhdisuriswarji Gyanmandir:
- Non-violence is a cherished dream of the country and people should show compassion towards animals.
- Banning sale of meat was a step in ‘that’ direction.
- The circular to ban sale of meat was in operation since 2004 and there was nothing wrong in implementing it.
What is the SC’s view?
In his judgment, Supreme Court said that:
- The meat ban cannot be pushed down the throat of citizens
- It is happening throughout the country and the world. Spirit of tolerance is important and it has to be inculcated. These are the issues which cannot be forced down someone’s throat and these things should not be thrust on a particular class
- There is no logic to show compassion to animals only during festivals when ban is imposed. Compassion is not to be shown only during festival days. It should be shown throughout the year
- There are many people doing business of selling meat and it is very difficult to impose such ban
- To emphasize that people should be left to take decisions themselves instead of imposing a decision on them, Justice Thakur quoted Kabir’s couplet.
- “Kabira teri jhopdi, gal katiyan ke paas, Jaisi karni waisi bharni, tu kyu bhaya udas (O Kabir! your hut is next to the butcher’s, Why do you feel down? For their conduct they only shall pay).
