Rampurhat (WB), Nov 14 (PTI) The TMC-run Rampurhat Municipality in West Bengal’s Birbhum district has directed three meat shops in the town to remain closed for two days during Chhath Puja, triggering a controversy.
The directive, issued on Friday, asks the shops in the Court Gali area to remain shut on November 15 and 16, citing the need to respect religious sentiments.
The order also instructs the shopkeepers to keep meat from slaughtered animals, including goats, sheep and rams, covered with red cloth on other days.
Rampurhat Municipality chairman Soumen Bhakta said the restriction applied only to three shops where animals were slaughtered in full public view.
“The shops openly slaughter animals on the premises. That is why we have directed them to remain closed for the two days of Chhath Puja. The decision has been taken to respect the sentiments of everyone,” he said.
The road, where the meat shops are located, is used by devotees during Chhath Puja, an official said.
The CPI(M) and the Congress claimed that the decision was an attempt to appease the BJP by “importing” practices from other states.
Former Congress MLA Milton Rashid claimed that the decision was politically motivated, maintaining the chairman was trying to earn brownie points with the BJP.
“The chairman belongs to the TMC. However, after the assembly elections, most councillors have been maintaining relations with the BJP to safeguard their positions. They are trying to ensure that they remain councillors even after the next civic polls,” he claimed.
“People in this area celebrate every festival together. Such decisions are part of divisive politics and an attempt to create social divisions,” he said.
Owners of the three shops said this was the first time the civic body had issued such an order.
“We were informed over the phone by the municipality that the shops would have to remain closed on November 15 and 16. We were told to contact the officer-in-charge of the police station if we had any objections,” one of the shop owners said, adding that since November 15 was a Sunday, the losses would be huge.
“They could have asked us to put up curtains or keep the shutters down while continuing our business. That would have helped us avoid losses. But the municipality has issued the order, and we have to comply,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ruling BJP said those questioning the directive were free to approach the court.
“If they believe such issues are insignificant, they can move court. The doors of the judiciary are open to everyone,” BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar said. PTI CORR PNT SOM
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