NDTV reports: The Maharashtra government today strongly defended in court a controversial meat ban in Mumbai, which has been challenged by mutton traders and fueled protests, even by the ruling BJP's ally, the Shiv Sena.


"The Supreme Court judgement says that we have to respect the sentiments of a particular community. It doesn't matter if Jains are fewer in number in Mumbai," the government argued in the Bombay High Court.


The court questioned why the ban was limited to mutton and chicken.

"We have to change our attitude in view of globalisation. We want to understand why fish, sea food and eggs are not banned," the judge questioned.

The government replied: "Fish die the moment they are out of water. So there is no slaughter involved."

Mutton traders in the city have moved court against the ban, saying it discriminates against their right to a livelihood.

Meat shops were open on Thursday, on the first of a four-day ban, but the government-run slaughterhouse was shut.
 
"An eight-day straight ban can't be a formula. Mumbai is a modern city," the court observed yesterday.

The government today said the ban is only for two days, arguing: "How can two days be unreasonable?"

The ban on slaughter and sale of meat in Mumbai has been imposed because of a Jain festival of fasting, Paryushan. After yesterday, the ban will be in force on three more days, Sunday, September 17 and 20.

The BJP wants the ban extended to eight days, but its own ally Shiv Sena says it will ensure meat is openly sold and eaten on the days of the ban.

The meat ban during the Jain fast was introduced in 1994 by the then Congress government. Ten years later, the two-day ban was extended to four days, but has never really been implemented, officials say.