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Synopsis

The Bombay High Court has directed the civic authorities to decide on the representations made by the Jain community seeking a ban on animal slaughter and the sale of meat during Paryushan.

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Sheth Motishaw Lalbaug Jain Charities on behalf of the Jain community, seeking the ban during Paryushan.

The petitioners emphasized various aspects of Jain beliefs, including the significant tenet of Ahinsa (Non-Violence). They argued that allowing animal slaughter during Paryushan would be detrimental to the cause of Jainism and would vitiate the environment.

The petitioners also contended that during the sacred period of Paryushan, they were forced to witness slaughtering, which goes against the ethos of the festival.

Advocates Shreeyansh Shah and Udayan Mukherjee, representing the petitioners, urged the court to direct the civic authorities to act urgently, as Paryushan was set to begin on August 31.

The government pleader submitted that a state government notification already bans the sale and slaughter of animals on the first and last days of Paryushan.

The bench was informed that the state had also issued a newspaper advertisement directing the closure of meat shops on these days.

After hearing both parties, the bench directed the civic authorities to decide on the representations made by the petitioners at the earliest, as per the law.