Bengaluru: Meat shops in some parts of Bengaluru remained shut for nearly a day and a half because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the city.
According to the official order, the reason for closure of meat shops in two areas of Bengaluru Urban district was cited as security precaution ahead of the Prime Minister’s Friday visit.
The order, issued on November 10 by Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate P S Kantharaju, prohibited the sale of meat within the limits of Jigani Town Municipal Council and Kallubalu Gram Panchayat in Anekal taluk.
The restriction came into effect at 6 am on November 12, and remained in force until 4 pm on November 13.
The administration invoked Section 163(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, following a request from the Bengaluru Rural District Superintendent of Police Chandrakanth MV.
Police cited security arrangements for Modi and other Central and state dignitaries who were in the city to attend the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Prashanti Kutiram in Anekal. The programme was organised by the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA).
“There is a possibility of anti-social elements or miscreants attempting to disrupt public order during the programme. Therefore, to ensure the safety of the Prime Minister and maintain peace in the area, the police have requested that meat shops be closed for the specified period,” the order, issued in Kannada, stated.
PM Modi, who arrived in Bengaluru on Friday morning, attended the event at S-VYASA University and inaugurated the 7.5-km elevated section of Namma Metro Pink Line, built at a cost of around Rs 3,470 crore.
‘Infringed on people’s rights to personal liberty’
The order to shut meat shops and bar liquor sales temporarily has been criticised by the CPI(ML) Liberation, calling it an assault on constitutional rights.
In a statement, the party said the order infringed on people’s rights to personal liberty, freedom of religion and conscience, and the freedom to choose their food and livelihood.
The party also criticised the Congress government in Karnataka, questioning why such an order had been issued under a government that claims to uphold constitutional freedoms and oppose the Sangh Parivar.
