Yogi Adityanath calls slaughterhouses’ representatives for talks
Lucknow, March 30: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has invited representatives of slaughterhouses for talks amid the ongoing tussle between the Uttar Pradesh government and slaughterhouse owners. The move came after days of deadlock between the two parties over government’s crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses. With this, the government that had come under severe criticism for the hasty move seems to be extending an olive branch to the aggrieved slaughterhouse owners. It is expected that the government and slaughterhouse owners may try to find the middle path. The meeting would be held at 6 pm today.
As promised in the BJP’s manifesto, within 24 hours of assuming power, Yogi Adityanath had ordered a complete ban on illegal slaughterhouses. However, as the police crackdown began, reports of high-handedness started pouring in. Many media reports had suggested that even legal slaughterhouses were being closed down. An NDTV report suggested that some slaughterhouses with a valid license were closed down for small procedural lapses. Uttar Pradesh’s health minister Sidharth Nath Singh had warned that vigilantism wouldn’t go unpunished. He had said that the action was not against anyone, but to restore the legal system. He said action against vigilantes would be taken.
Not only mechanised slaughterhouses, small-scale meat shops had also come under police scanner. Though the crackdown was against illegal meat shops, actions were allegedly taken against legal shops as well. In retaliation, meat sellers had gone on a strike, choking meat supplies in the state. It is expected that the association of meat sellers may take a decision on their strike after meeting the Chief Minister. The slaughterhouses and meat sellers had complained that the chief minister should have given them time to get licenses before taking the decision. It is expected that an agreement on this is arrived at between the government and the aggrieved party.
The Opposition had criticised Yogi Adityanath for taking the decision in a haste. BSP supremo Mayawati had said that the government should have issued notice before taking action against illegal slaughterhouses. She had said that the slaughterhouses should have been given time before closing them down.
