Director of Municipalities office, working under Urban Development ministry of Government of Gujarat has directed all Collectors, Municipalities and civic bodies of the state to shut down all slaughter houses, and mean and fish selling points on second, third, fourth Monday of auspicious Shravan month. The directive was released on 20th of August, because of which the first Monday couldn’t be covered. Apart from three Mondays, this directive will also be effective equally on Janmashtami day. The dates are 23 August, 30th August, 2nd September and 6th September.

When contacted, Deputy Director of Municipalities Shri Naik told DeshGujarat that the government has taken such decision for the first time. He clarified that this is just directive and not order.

Civic authorities that are interested to implement this directive can take action against those not obeying their order under IPC 188.

Gujarat government orders shut down of all slaughter houses in the state during Jain festival Paryushan for last many years. A group of butchers had challenged such ban in Supreme Court couple of years back, but they were defeated. It is for the first time, that the state government has directed similar ban during auspicious days of the month of Shravan. However as it is just directive and not order, civic authorities seem less interested in its implementation.