[Paryushana Parv] Punjab and Haryana High Court stays order for closure of private slaughterhouses/meat shops in Ambala

The Punjab & Haryana High Court on Wednesday ordered that the operation of the orders for closure of all meat shops and slaughterhouses in Haryana’s Ambala district owing to Jain festival- 'Paryushana Parv' shall remain stayed so far as private slaughterhouses/meat shops are concerned.

The bench of Justice Sudhir Mittal was dealing with a writ petition filed challenging the decision of the Department of Urban Local Bodies to shut down all meat shops and slaughterhouses for nine days owing to the Paryushan festival. 

The Senior counsel for the petitioners-Rajpal Poultry Farm and others argued that private slaughterhouses/meat shops cannot be asked to close down during the period of paryurshan festival as it would affect the constitutional rights of the general public apart from violating the right of the petitioners to carry on their trade, business or vocation.

The counsel relied upon the judgment in Bombay Mutton Dealer Association v. State of Maharashtra (2016) wherein a similar order passed by the State Government of Maharashtra was stayed by the Bombay High Court. In that judgment, the Bombay High Court opined that merely to appease one section of the society, the personal dietary choices of the public at large should not be affected. 

In the instant case, taking the submissions made by the counsel for the petitioners into consideration, the High Court sought State’s response on the petition and stayed the operation of the state order banning meat shop/slaughterhouses in the meanwhile.

Paryushana Parv is an annual holy event for Jains and is usually celebrated in August or September for 8 days. This year, 2022, it will be celebrated from August 24 and will end on September 1.

Case Title: Rajpal Poultry Farm v State of Haryana