Ban on meat sale in Mumbai stokes controversy

A four-day ban on selling meat in Mumbai has been imposed by civic body with the backing of BJP during Jain community's upcoming fasting period, drawing stiff opposition from various quarters, including ally Shiv Sena which decried it as "appeasement" and "religious terrorism".

The order by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ajoy Mehta came days after a civic body took a similar decision in the adjoining Thane district prohibiting meat sale for eight days from September 11 to 18 when the Jain community will observe fasting period 'Paryushan'.