NEW DELHI: Union minister Chirag Paswan strongly criticized the recent administrative orders banning meat sales during Navratri and Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations in some areas, calling such divisive politics “trash.”
Speaking after attending the National Democratic Alliance meeting at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s residence in Patna on March 31, Paswan emphasized that religious matters should remain personal and political parties should avoid commenting on them.
The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief expressed concern about attempts to create societal divisions for political gains.
“People try to create division in society for their politics. There are big issues today which should be discussed. At least, political parties should not comment on other people’s religion or anyone’s religion. This is a matter of personal faith,” Paswan stated.
Paswan dismissed discussions about closing meat shops during Navratri as meaningless, highlighting the long-standing harmony between different religious communities.
“Faltu ki baaten hai ye sab (this is all trash talk). This is not required. This has been happening for centuries, where every religious person has maintained brotherhood and lived simply. Who will offer Namaz and where, whether shops will remain open or closed during Navratri – all these are worthless talks. There is no need for a discussion over this,” he said.
He suggested that most issues would be resolved if religious organizations and political parties stopped interfering in each other’s domains.
“The day religious organisations stop protecting political parties and the day politicians or political parties stop interfering in the matter of faith, nearly 90 per cent of the problems would be resolved. The trouble happens when controversies emerge due to politics,” Paswan added.
The comments came in response to recent actions by local authorities, including the Maihar district administration in Madhya Pradesh, which banned the purchase and sale of meat, fish, and eggs within Maihar Nagar Palika limits during Navratri from March 30 to April 7.
The ban was implemented through an order issued by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vikas Kumar Singh under section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, which allows for immediate preventive orders in urgent cases of nuisance or anticipated danger.
