Chirag Paswan Slams Meat Ban During Navratri: Calls It "Trash Talk" and Urges Separation of Faith and Politics

Union minister Chirag Paswan has condemned the administrative decisions in some BJP governed states that prohibit the selling of meat, fish, and eggs during Navratri from March 30 to April 6. He said that political parties ought not to meddle in issues concerning personal beliefs and faith.

During a press interaction post the NDA allies’ meeting at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s home in Patna, Paswan labeled the administrative ordinances prohibiting the sale of meat during Navratri and Eid-ul-Fitr holidays as ‘Trash talk.’

"I am not sure how sabzi (vegetarian) and meat, where, and when to offer namaz, or shoppes being open during navratri; all of these are artifacts of an assortment of faux issues of life. It is completely unnecessary reason to dicuss," Paswan said.

The head of Lok Janashakti Party emphasized that religion should be an individual matter and assured the public that political prticles should not trespass into personal belief and faith.

"For political reasons, people seek to create fractures in society. We need to sit down on the discussion table to tackle problems of higher magnitude. At least, political factions should desist from making comments on the religious issues. These remain of organized religion faith," Paswan commented.

His Union minister’s party is within the ruling NDA, which controls the Centre, made such comments in relation to other administrative actions like placing restrictions on the public offer of namaz and the issuance of meat licenses during the Navratri bonanza in MP and UP.

The Maihar district administration in Madhya Pradesh ordered a ban on meat, fish, and egg sales within the Maihar Nagar Palika limits for the duration of Navratri from 30 March to 07 April. The prescription was made by Sub Divisional Magistrate Shri Vikas Kumar Singh in accordance with Article 163 of the BNS.

In Uttar Pradesh, the government under Yogi Adityanath prohibited the sale of meat within a distance of 500 meters from churches during the nine day festival of Chaitra Navratri which is commenced on Sunday, Supremacy of all illegal slaughterhouses was commanded. The Yogi government at grand instructions for Ram Navami to be on festive 06 April instructed absolute meat prohibition during the day within the borders of state.

Avoiding a direct mention of the stated orders, Paswan suggested that interference by religious groups and political organizations is the major factor that, if resolved, would lead to the solution of most problems.

“When religious organizations cease the shielding of politicians and when politicians or political parties stop meddling with the issues of religion, almost ninety percent of issues get solved. Conflicts arise when issues get skewed with politics,” said Paswan.

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