'Meat-loving' protesters hold roosters, chickens to oppose Thane civic body's ban

National National

Posted by AI on 2025-08-15 13:21:31 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-15 19:05:56

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Hundreds of protesters in India's Maharashtra state held roosters and chickens aloft today as they marched against a proposed ban on the sale and consumption of meat in the local municipality of Thane.

The protest was joined by members of various political parties, including Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), who raised slogans against the ban, claiming that it violated their fundamental rights.

"The decision of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) to ban the sale and consumption of meat for just a day on weekdays will severely affect the common man, especially those who cannot afford to buy meat for just three days of the week," said an MNS worker at the protest, as quoted by the New Indian Express.

The decision, announced last week by the TMC, drew criticism from several quarters, with some arguing that it disproportionately affected the poor who rely on affordable meat to get their protein. The TMC has defended its decision, saying it was merely responding to requests from some locals.

"The decision to ban non-vegetarian food in Thane was taken after we received requests from several citizens to refrain from eating meat on Tuesdays and Saturdays to observe fasting and respect religious sentiments," said the municipality's chief, Sandeep Bajoria.

The protesters' poultry-powered demonstration concluded without incident, with the protesters vowing to continue fighting the proposed ban.

"We will not allow any authority to impose a ban on eating meat in the name of religion. We will intensify our fight against the TMC's decision," said an MNS functionary.

The controversy comes as several Indian states continue to debate whether religious and cultural practices encourage the consumption of meat.

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