Gurgaon, Mar 29: More than 300 meat shops, including an outlet of popular fast food chain KFC in Gurgaon’s Sector 14, were forced to shut down by protesters who claimed to be Shiv Sena members on Tuesday for Navratri — the nine-day-festival observed by Hindus across the country.
Protesters targeted shops in Sadar Bazar area on the right side of Delhi-Gurgaon expressway On Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, they turned to the shops on the other side, including DLF, Sushant Lok, Sohna Road and Badshahpur areas.
Besides Navratri, the alleged Shiv Sena members are insisting that the shops should be closed every Tuesday.
“A number of Hindus keep fast on Navratri and on Tuesday of every week. It does not feel good to see meat being sold and served on these days. Most of shopkeepers have supported the move and we consulted those who resisted,” said Ritu Raj, who claims to be district spokesperson of Shiv Sena.
Raj claimed that most of the shops forced to down shutters are “illegal” as they do not have the licence to operate. “Most of them do not follow proper procedures laid down for meat shops,” he said. Raj said the shops were not shut down suddenly and that they had been sent prior notices.
Shakir, a meat shop owner in Sector 9, said though the action was against the norms, he did not have any objection to keeping the shop closed due to religious sentiments.
Other shopkeepers are, however, considering approaching the police against forced closures. “We are discussing with other shopkeepers and may make a police complaint,” said a shopkeeper at Pataudi Road.
A Gurgaon police spokesperson said that no complaint has been received in this regard so far but action will be taken if the shops are being forced to close down in violation of the norms.
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