Thane civic body appeals meat shops to remain shut on Jan 22

Thane: The Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra's Thane district has appealed to all shops selling chicken, mutton and fish under its jurisdiction to remain shut on January 22 when the consecration ceremony will be held at the new Ram temple in Ayodhya.The appeal was made by Ajay Vaidya, administrator and municipal commissioner of the civic body, seeking cooperation from shopkeepers.

In a statement issued on Friday, Vaidya said the consecration of Lord Ram's idol will be held on January 22. On this occasion, celebrations are planned throughout Bhiwandi on that day.

Following a review meeting held on Thursday involving the police officials, civic administration, and the local peace committee, it was collectively decided that all mutton, chicken and fish shops in Bhiwandi should remain closed on that day. Therefore, this appeal has been made, it said.

Earlier, the gram panchayat of the communally-sensitive Padgha village in Thane district has appealed to the locals to close shops selling non-vegetarian foods and liquor on January 22.

The village in Bhiwandi tehsil was in news last year because of the raids conducted by the National Investigation Agency as part of its probe into the Islamic State and other terror modules in the country.

The gram panchayat letter, signed by the village sarpanch, said it was making a "fervent request" that shops selling mutton, chicken, fish and liquor should remain closed on January 22, and the occasion of 'pran-pratishtha' at the Ayodhya temple should be celebrated by decorating homes and lighting lamps.

The Maharashtra government on Friday announced a public holiday on January 22 on the occasion of the Ram temple consecration ceremony.

The Centre has already announced that all its offices, institutions and industrial establishments throughout India will have a half-day holiday for the ceremony.