Owaisi calls Independence Day meat shop closure ‘callous’ and ‘unconstitutional’

Hyderabad: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has criticized the closure of slaughterhouses and meat shops on Independence Day, describing the move by municipal authorities as “callous” and “unconstitutional”.

The Hyderabad MP took to X on Wednesday to question the link between eating meat and celebrating Independence Day, after several municipal corporations across India, including the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), issued closure orders.

“Many municipal corporations across India seemed to have ordered that slaughterhouses and meat shops should be closed on 15th August. Unfortunately, GHMC has also made a similar order. This is callous and unconstitutional,” Owaisi posted.

“What’s the connection between eating meat and celebrating Independence Day? 99% of Telangana’s people eat meat. These meat bans violate people’s right to liberty, privacy, livelihood, culture, nutrition & religion,” he added.

The GHMC has directed that cattle slaughterhouses and retail beef shops remain shut on 15 August for Independence Day and on 16 August for Janmashtami, under Section 533(b) of the GHMC Act, 1955. Orders have been sent to the police commissioners of Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda, with veterinary officers and GHMC officials instructed to ensure strict compliance.

Similar directives have been issued in Mumbai, where Samajwadi Party’s Maharashtra unit president and MLA Abu Azmi condemned the closure of meat shops in Kalyan-Dombivli on Independence Day.

“I strongly condemn this law. August 15 is Independence Day, the day people gained freedom from slavery. On that very day, you want to introduce a law that takes away people’s freedom? What will people eat? If this is correct, then close all hotels too. Poor people who run small businesses will be forced to shut down,” he said.