Facing rising pollution and health risks from new slaughterhouses, Muslim MLAs and community leaders in Mewat demand immediate government action to stop approvals and relocate existing facilities
MEWAT – The BJP-led Haryana government’s recent approval of 32 slaughterhouses in the Mewat region has sparked strong opposition from local Muslim MLAs and community representatives, who argue that these developments are harming the environment and public health.
An important meeting convened on Saturday (August 1) at the grain market in Nuh by the Mewat Sarpanch Association brought together elected officials, social activists, youth, and intellectuals to discuss the growing concerns over the increasing number of slaughterhouses in the area. Attendees agreed to send a memorandum to the chief minister and the prime minister, demanding immediate and effective action.
Nuh MLA Aftab Ahmed spoke forcefully at the meeting about the impact of slaughterhouses on Mewat’s environment. “Due to slaughterhouses, both the air and water of Mewat are getting polluted,” he said. “The Haryana government is granting NOCs to slaughterhouses that have already had their approvals cancelled in Uttar Pradesh.” He added, “This pollution is causing various diseases and endangering the lives of ordinary people.”
Aftab Ahmed emphasised his consistent opposition to these slaughterhouses. “They are being pushed out of Uttar Pradesh, yet the Haryana government continues to allow them to set up here,” he noted. “Today, Mewat’s environment is suffering because of this.”
Firozpur Jhirka MLA Maman Khan, who also attended the meeting, expressed deep concern about the government’s priorities. “I have met Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and the Additional Secretary of Environment and Forest Department, submitting a formal complaint,” Khan said. “So far, 32 slaughterhouses have been given NOCs in Mewat, but instead of addressing the real needs of the people — such as a university, trauma centre, and industrial development — the government is focused on allowing more slaughterhouses.”
Khan stressed that “slaughterhouses will not be tolerated in Mewat under any circumstances.” He called for all existing slaughterhouses to be relocated promptly to reduce the rising health risks, which include cancer, tuberculosis, asthma, and skin diseases. “I stand with the people of Mewat and will continue to support them in this struggle,” he affirmed.
Punhana MLA Mohammad Ilyas and Hathin MLA Mohammad Israel also voiced their strong opposition to the proliferation of slaughterhouses in the region. Alongside social workers and local leaders, they demanded the government take swift action to remove slaughterhouses from residential areas.
Rashid Advocate, a well-known social worker, stated, “The health of the people of Mewat is being ignored. These slaughterhouses are not only polluting our air and water but are directly linked to increasing disease rates.” The Sarpanch Association’s chief, Hathori Sarpanch, echoed these sentiments, calling on the government to listen to the community’s urgent demands.
The meeting concluded with the submission of a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Saini and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The memorandum, handed over by Naib Tehsildar Narendra Bhardwaj, outlines the collective demands of the people of Mewat: halt the issuance of new slaughterhouse NOCs and relocate existing facilities away from populated areas to safeguard public health.
This united front by Muslim MLAs and local representatives highlights the ongoing neglect of Mewat’s basic needs by the state government. Despite repeated calls for essential infrastructure such as educational institutions and healthcare facilities, the BJP government appears to prioritise the interests of slaughterhouse businesses at the cost of the local population’s wellbeing.
Local resident and community activist Farhan Hussain expressed his disappointment, saying, “Our demands for development and a cleaner environment have been ignored for too long. Instead, the government keeps approving more slaughterhouses, worsening pollution and health problems. We hope our leaders hear our plea and act without delay.”
As Mewat faces increasing health risks linked to these approvals, the voices of its Muslim MLAs and residents underscore a broader call for respect, justice, and prioritisation of public welfare over divisive and harmful economic activities.
