Voices grow louder for opening of meat shops

LUCKNOW: After the state government recently allowed liquor shops to open, people are now demanding opening of meat shops in various districts, including Lucknow, amid Covid-19 pandemic.

More so because union ministry for home affairs in its guidelines issued in mid-April had allowed opening of meat shops along with poultry and fish shops. Even then, meat shops is several UP districts are still now allowed to operate.

Urdu poet Munawwar Rana recently tweeted requesting chief minister Yogi Adityanath to allow meat shops to open after his government let the liquor shops to sell alcohol. Among other things the poet specifically wrote, “...let us also eat meat”. His tweet went viral and saw 3575 retweets till date.

Many Muslims too supported the poet because animal meat is a good source of protein intake for those observing fast in the ongoing holy month of Ramazan.

“For ages, people break their fast with dates and then look forward to protein intake by consuming a little quantity of mutton at iftar time,” said Farman, a resident of Lucknow.

Sunni cleric Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali has also written a letter to the chief minister demanding restoration of meat supply.

In his letter, Khalid Rasheed, Imam Eidgah, said, “We truly appreciate the government’s move of allowing supply of essential goods. In the same manner, it should also give a thought to restoring meat supply.”

Maulana also also pointed out the fact that the restriction on selling of meat has affected thousands of people who are into this trade. “Our country is one of the leading exporters of meat that is also a booster to our economy. If slaughtering of animals starts, it will not only restore the meat supply but will also give some income to those who deal in this trade,” he added.

Firoz Alam Khan, who works with a private company, said, “There can be no double standards. If we can open liquor shop across the state, why not meat shop.”