UP slaughterhouse ban: Allahabad HC directs govt to commission new licenses, renew old ones

The BJP’s manifesto for UP elections promised swift action against illegal meat shops and slaughterhouses.

In a sign of relief to meat traders in the state, the Allahabad High Court on Friday directed the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government to commission new licenses and renew old ones for slaughterhouses and meat shops. Aside from seeking information from the government on July 17 regarding the matter, the high court also observed that it’s the responsibility of the local body for the construction of slaughterhouses. Hearing a clutch of litigations regarding the operations of slaughterhouses on Thursday, the high court bench of justice AP Shahi and justice Sanjay Harkauli had reserved their judgment for Friday.

After taking over as the Chief Minister of the state on March 19 following a massive victory in the assembly elections this year, Yogi Adityanath imposed a blanket ban on all illegal slaughterhouses in the state. The BJP’s manifesto for UP elections promised swift action against such meat shops and slaughterhouses. The UP government had asked for the closure of illegal slaughterhouses in view of overall public order and health of the general public. After the government announcement, slaughterhouse owners and meat sellers across the state shut their shops which was closely followed by an indefinite strike call by different associations.