Maharashtra: Jains urge meat traders to shut shops on Mahavir Jayanti

On the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, the Jain community in Maharashtra has appealed to slaughterhouses, meat wholesalers and retailers to close operations for the day.

BJP MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha who is also benefactor of Jain Shakti Foundation, “Maharashtra is the only state, which now allows meat trade on Mahavir Jayanti. It is our earnest request to the slaughterhouses and meat retailers to close operations on Sunday, to respect our religious sentiments,”

According to recent ruling of Bombay High Court, the vendors are allowed to set shop on Mahavir Jayanti.

However dealers said respecting the sentiments of Jains, no slaughter would be carried out Sunday.

“Following a meeting with the Jain association, we have decided to shut down slaughterhouses as a mark of respect to the Jains,” said Mohammed Ali Qureshi, president of the Beef Dealers’ Association.

Read | Mahavir Jayanti 2017: Importance and significance of the auspicious festival