Kalyan Dombivli meat shop ban on Independence Day sparks political row; KDMC official says it’s a routine order since 1988

The Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) recently issued an order banning the sale of meat on Independence Day, August 15. This decision has led to strong reactions from political leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT), who called the ban an infringement on people's freedom to choose their food.

According to the KDMC, all slaughterhouses and licensed butcher shops selling goat, sheep, chicken, and other large animals must remain closed for 24 hours, from midnight on August 14 to midnight on August 15. The civic body has warned that anyone found slaughtering animals or selling meat during this period will face legal action under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act of 1949.

KDMC Deputy Commissioner for Licences, Kanchan Gaikwad, told news agency PTI that this order is not new. In fact, it has been issued every year since 1988 as part of a civic resolution. Gaikwad, who signed the latest order, said the ban is meant to maintain public order and to observe important national occasions respectfully.


However, opposition leaders do not agree with this view.

Jitendra Awhad, NCP-SP MLA from the Kalwa-Mumbai constituency in Thane district, criticised the order strongly. He said he plans to host a mutton party on Independence Day to highlight what he called the “freedom” to eat what one wants. “On the day we got freedom, you are taking away our freedom to eat what we want,” Awhad told PTI.

Earlier the same day, Awhad also posted on X (formerly Twitter), “This is too much. Who are you to decide what people will eat and when?”

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also condemned the KDMC’s order. He demanded the suspension of the KDMC commissioner, accusing the official of trying to control people’s food choices. “Who is the commissioner to tell people whether they can eat non-vegetarian food or not?” he asked.

Suresh Mhatre, Bhiwandi MP and NCP-SP leader, joined the criticism. He called the ban an infringement on people’s traditional food habits. Mhatre said that what people eat depends on their customs and culture. He gave the example of local fishing communities who consume both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. “Food habits are shaped by customs prevalent in different parts of the state. The ban on meat sale is incomprehensible,” he told reporters.

Mhatre emphasised that dietary preferences are closely linked to cultural identity, especially in coastal communities like the Agri Koli. He urged civic authorities to respect these traditions instead of imposing restrictions.

On the other side, Kalyan (West) MLA Vishwanath Bhoir from Shiv Sena defended the KDMC’s decision. He said the ban is not being opposed by most people and asked why it should be a problem to avoid meat for one day. “People are not opposing the notice. What’s the issue if one doesn’t eat meat for one day? The Opposition only knows how to criticise,” he said.

The KDMC’s annual meat sale ban on Independence Day is meant to honour the national holiday with peaceful observance and public order. Still, it has become a matter of heated debate over personal freedom and cultural respect.

While the civic body insists on the importance of the ban, political leaders and many residents see it as an unnecessary interference in their food choices and cultural traditions.

Inputs from PTI