Our Take
A week ago, on April 7, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) had banned the sale of meat and ordered closure of slaughterhouses during navratras. It is good that the order was modified on Monday and sale of meat will now be allowed in certain areas of the city which have a substantial population of Muslims. According to the modified order, meat will continue to be sold in areas like Gujjar Nagar, Sunjwan and Bhatindi. Councilor Pramod Kapahi had moved a resolution for banning meat sale during navratras in the JMC in which 45 members are of the BJP, a clear majority. Frankly, the ban order made little, if any, sense as the month of Ramzan begins on Wednesday (April 14). In the past, such an order was never considered, leave aside being issued, in Jammu.
The modified order also says that the meat sale shops will adhere to some additional norms, like putting tinted glasses in front, covering animal carcasses with muslin cloth etc. The original order putting ban on sale of meat had, for obvious reasons, caused anger among Muslims, some of whom had demanded that it be taken back or modified. Independent councilor Shama Akhtar had opposed the resolution when it was taken up in the JMC meeting.
Neither the National Conference nor the Congress leaders had taken any official stance on the issue which has fortunately been diffused now. Somewhere deep down, it shows that non-issues can threaten to become serious issues if not handled with utmost sensitivities. Jammu is known for mutual tolerance, respect for one another’s traditions and customs, and all communities living in harmony. Coexistence is the buzzword here and that should remain the guiding principle for all in the future as well.
