Meat shops ordered to close during Chhath in Bengal's Birbhum, Congress slams move

A decision by the Rampurhat Municipality in West Bengal’s Birbhum district to keep meat shops closed for two days during Chhath Puja has triggered a political controversy, with the Congress questioning the rationale behind the directive and accusing the civic body of engaging in selective action.

The municipality has defended the move, saying it was intended to respect the religious sentiments of devotees observing the festival.

The controversy erupted after a notice was reportedly put up at a meat shop in Rampurhat, directing it to remain closed on Sunday and Monday in view of Chhath Puja.

The directive has drawn criticism from the Congress, which questioned why the municipality was prioritising the closure of meat shops when other pressing issues in the area required attention.

Rampurhat Municipal Chairman Soumen Bhagat said the decision was taken after discussions regarding arrangements for the festival, which is observed by members of the Bihari community as well as local residents.

He said devotees visit Chhath Puja sites carrying religious offerings and many walk barefoot as part of the rituals.

Explaining the municipality's position, Bhagat said that blood and water from meat shops could spill onto roads, potentially causing discomfort to devotees and hurting their religious sentiments.

He maintained that the temporary closure was intended to ensure that worshippers could observe the festival without facing such difficulties.

The chairman also referred to discussions held with local administrative officials, including the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and the police Inspector-in-Charge (IC), before the decision was communicated.

Defending the directive, he described Chhath Puja as a major religious occasion and urged political opponents not to view every administrative decision through a political lens.

BENGAL CONGRESS QUESTIONS MOVE

However, the Congress has strongly objected to the move, alleging that the municipality was diverting attention from more serious law-and-order concerns.

A party leader referred to a recent incident involving firing on police personnel in the area and questioned why the administration was focusing on meat shop closures instead of addressing such incidents.

The Congress leader also argued that the directive could adversely affect shopkeepers and families dependent on the meat trade for their livelihood.

Pointing to the longstanding observance of Chhath Puja in Rampurhat, the leader said the festival had been celebrated by different communities without requiring such restrictions in previous years.

"I have been in Rampurhatt since 1999. This Chhat Puja is done by my friends and people who live near my house," the Congress leader said, questioning the need for the closure order.

The leader further alleged that the decision was politically motivated and intended to appease the BJP, while asserting that religious celebrations and people's right to carry on their businesses should not be placed in conflict.

The Congress maintained that devotees should be allowed to celebrate the festival while traders should also be able to earn their livelihoods.

It questioned the timing and necessity of the directive, particularly in view of the fact that Chhath Puja has traditionally been celebrated in the town.