“Meat has been sold in Baba’s city for centuries. While I respect faith, the government should provide a place for those who have been working here,” said a local trader
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — The recent closure of meat and fish shops within a 2-kilometre radius of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi has led to widespread concerns, particularly among Muslim vendors. The move, initiated by the local administration, has drawn backlash from the affected shopkeepers, who claim their livelihoods are being unfairly targeted in the name of religious sentiments.
The decision was taken after a complaint was filed by the Municipal Corporation, resulting in the closure of approximately 45 shops in areas such as Chowk, Dashashwamedh, and Chetganj. Following this, the Yogi Adityanath government’s police registered cases against 26 vendors for violating regulations, including the illegal sale of meat, and another 15 shopkeepers for operating without a licence.
The decion to close meat shops in 2-kilometre radius of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple has left the Muslim meat traders high and dry as they are facing the question of survival.
For many Muslim shopkeepers, this move has had a devastating impact on their ability to earn a living. Zahid Hashmi, a vendor affected by the closure, voiced his concerns: “The FIR against these people is absolutely wrong. Everyone has a family. The government should have given an ultimatum before taking this action. Instead, they shut down the shops without providing alternative work options, especially at a time when inflation is already affecting everyone.”
The closure of these shops has not only disrupted the livelihood of the vendors but also left many struggling to make ends meet, particularly with the holy month of Ramadan approaching. Shakeel Ahmed, another local vendor, explained the importance of the meat trade for the Muslim community, saying, “Meat has been sold in Baba’s city for centuries. While I respect faith, the government should provide a place for those who have been working here. With Ramadan coming soon, this business provides essential food for us.”
Hashmi further expressed his frustration, saying, “By shutting down our shops, the government has kicked us in the stomach. We respect the devotees and their faith, but this attitude of the administration is not fair.”
The closure has prompted discussions around the balance between respecting religious sentiments and protecting the livelihoods of those affected by such decisions. Many argue that the government should have considered providing alternative arrangements for the vendors before taking such drastic measures. The situation remains tense, with protests likely to escalate as the effects of this decision continue to unfold.
