The order comes after 10 meat traders from Kota filed a writ petition following repeated delays in the issuance of licences, despite earlier court instructions
KOTA – The Rajasthan High Court has taken a firm stance on the ongoing delays in granting licences to meat traders, predominantly affecting Muslim business owners, and has sought a written reply from the concerned departments within four weeks.
The court’s order comes after 10 meat traders from Kota filed a writ petition following repeated delays in the issuance of licences, despite earlier instructions by the high court to avoid harsh action against traders and ensure licence provision. Justice Anoop Dhandh presided over the case, while senior advocates Ansar Indouri and Ajit Kaswa represented the petitioners.
Speaking outside the courtroom, Ansar Indouri stated, “Our clients have followed all legal procedures, yet they are being denied their right to operate. This is not just administrative delay; it is an attack on livelihoods and a community that relies on this trade.”
The roots of this issue, according to traders and observers, lie in the long-standing politics around meat consumption in India. Muslim-owned meat shops have often faced targeted action under the guise of legal compliance, sometimes leading to shop closures or violence.
Three months ago, Kota Municipal Corporation issued notices and took action against traders without licences, closing several shops. Twenty-five meat traders approached the high court, which ordered the municipal authorities not to take harsh action and to facilitate licensing. However, the departments reportedly ignored the court’s instructions, prompting a renewed petition.
Ajit Kaswa remarked, “The high court’s intervention was clear: no trader should be penalised while their applications are pending. Yet, we see continued delay. This affects small Muslim traders disproportionately, leaving them vulnerable to unnecessary legal pressures.”
The issue reflects a broader problem in India, where politics often interfere with small businesses, particularly in the meat industry. Meat trading is a legitimate livelihood for thousands of Muslim families, yet political and social pressures frequently result in targeted harassment.
A Kota meat trader, who wished to remain anonymous, told Clarion India, “We are simply trying to run our shops and earn our living. We follow all rules. Still, our applications are ignored. It feels like the system is against us because of who we are.”
The Rajasthan High Court has now made it clear that the concerned departments must respond in writing, ensuring that Muslim meat traders receive their licences without further delay. This step is being seen as a significant measure to protect the rights and livelihoods of small traders against political and bureaucratic harassment.
The case highlights the continued struggle of Muslim entrepreneurs in India’s meat industry, where non-vegetarian business becomes a point of political contention, affecting livelihoods, community dignity, and economic independence.
