Jharkhand goes UP way, pressure mounting for ban on slaughter houses

As per the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) officials no contract of slaughter house has been given in the city in last seven years. There were two slaughter houses in Ranchi’s Kanta Toli and Doranda areas but they are not operational. The corporation has issued 47 licenses to sell meat.

Jharkhand is gradually moving the Uttar Pradesh (UP) way. The actions of UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s are also impacting the tribal state. After UP’s Anti-Romeo squad model, there is now demand for closure of slaughter houses in Jharkhand.

Members of the different Hindu right wings took part in a torch light procession demanding ban on slaughter houses across the state(Diwakar Prasad/ Hindustan Times)

About half a dozen right wing organizations, including Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM), Bajrang Dal and Jharkhand Gau Raksha Dal have started campaigns across the state demanding immediate ban on illegal slaughter houses and cattle smuggling in the state.

The organizations jointly organized a signature campaign at eight places of the capital city and took out a torchlight procession on Sunday evening to garner people’s support on closure of illegal slaughter houses.

“We will observe fast on Monday in support of our demand. If the state does not take any action on illegal slaughter houses, we will intensify our agitation,” said Sujit Kumar, Ranchi president of Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM).

Kumar said hundreds of cattle are illegally smuggled from Jharkhand to other states, which is proved by recent rescue operations conducted by state police. “Government should ensure stern action against cattle smugglers,” he said.

Kumar claimed that the Jharkhand government had cancelled licenses of all slaughter houses in 2004. “Despite the cancellations, hundreds of slaughter houses are functioning in the state,” he said.

As per the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) officials no contract of slaughter house has been given in the city in last seven years. There were two slaughter houses in Ranchi’s Kanta Toli and Doranda areas but they are not operational. The corporation has issued 47 licenses to sell meat.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) officials held two different meetings in Ranchi urging the state government to put a ban on the illegal slaughter houses in the state.

RSS ‘Sah Prant Karyawah’ Rakesh Lal, said, “RSS has been demanding ban on slaughter houses, which was fulfilled by UP chief minister. Jharkhand government should also act on same lines.”

Prior to this, VHP Bihar-Jharkhand head Pramod Mishra had urged the state order closure of slaughter houses and ban on cow smuggling in the state.