The Hindu-right wing in India has often attacked non-vegetarian food and tried to forcibly close meat shops during religious festivals such as Navratri, viewing it as against their religion. Their opposition to all things non-vegetarian was on display again this Navratri, enabled this time by statements from city officials and political leaders.
In the first week of April, the mayors of east and south Delhi asked meat shops in their jurisdictions to remain closed during the nine days of Navratri. Shyam Sunder Aggarwal, the east Delhi mayor claimed that “90 per cent people do not consume non-vegetarian food,” during Navratri, while Mukesh Suryan, the south Delhi mayor said there was “no need to open meat shops” during the festival.
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