MUMBAI : The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed petitions filed by members of the Jain community seeking a ten-day closure of Slaughterhouse in Mumbai during the Paryushan Parv festival. The court observed that while religious sentiments deserve respect, there is no legal basis to enforce such a demand.
Jain Plea Over Slaughterhouse Closure
The Paryushan Parv is being observed this year from August 20 to 27 by the Digambar sect and from August 21 to 28 by the Shwetambar sect. Petitioners argued that permitting slaughter during this period goes against the principle of ahimsa (non-violence), which lies at the heart of Jain philosophy.
Counsel for one of the petitioners, Prasad Dhakephalkar, drew a historical parallel, remarking, “Emperor Akbar had banned slaughter in Ahmedabad for six months. It was easy to convince Emperor Akbar, but not the state government and the corporation.”
The petition challenged an August 14 order by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner, which permitted closure of slaughterhouses only on two days during the festival.
Court’s Observations
A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne said the plea lacked legal grounds. The court questioned the petitioners directly: “We respect your sentiments. But tell us from where do you derive the right to ask for slaughterhouses to be closed for 10 days?”
The judges concluded that no substantial case had been made out and refused to extend relief beyond the civic body’s order.
BMC’s Stand on Slaughterhouse Ban
The BMC informed the court that the state government has already earmarked 16 days annually for slaughterhouse closures on religious and cultural occasions. For this year’s Paryushan, the civic body directed that slaughterhouses remain shut on August 24 and August 27.
The BMC further explained that Mumbai’s Deonar abattoir caters not just to the city but to the larger Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Extending a blanket 10-day closure, the civic body argued, would disrupt meat supply across the region.
Religious Sentiments vs Administrative Practicality
The Jain community has long sought closure of slaughterhouses during Paryushan Parv, arguing that such a move would help preserve the sanctity of their most important religious period. However, the court reiterated that administrative policies must balance religious sentiments with the rights and needs of other communities.
The ruling reflects a broader judicial approach that respects religious practices while maintaining that they cannot override administrative feasibility and constitutional principles.
Conclusion
The dismissal of the plea highlights the judiciary’s cautious stance in balancing faith with governance. While acknowledging Jain sentiments, the court emphasized that demands for citywide closures must be backed by legal provisions rather than moral or religious grounds.
As a result, slaughterhouses in Mumbai will remain closed only on August 24 and August 27 during Paryushan Parv.