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Bombay HC Asks Maharashtra Government To File Affidavit On Ban Against Animal Sacrifice

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Warning the petitioner against giving a communal spin in the petition challenging the recent ban on the practice of animal sacrifice within the protected area of Vishalgad Fort in Kolhapur, the Bombay High Court has asked the Maharashtra government to file its reply affidavit. 

A division bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Neela Gokhale was hearing a petition filed by Hajrat Peer Malik Rehan Mira Saheb Dargah challenging the order issued by the Deputy Director of Archaeology and Museums, Mumbai on February 1, prohibiting illegal animal slaughter in the name of sacrifice to Gods. The order cited a 1998 high court order that prohibited animal sacrifice in the names of Gods or Goddesses at public places.


‘Influenced by right-wing Hindu fundamentalists’

It alleged that the authorities in Kolhapur had swung into action “only under the influence exerted by right-wing Hindu fundamentalists.” It claimed that it was “age-old tradition” and there never had been any law and order problem. The petition alleged that the ban was passed to “please the majority community for political gains by the party in power”.

“It might be an age-old tradition. The petitioner has also tried to put a communal spin to the issue. Let us be very clear that we will dismiss the petition on this ground itself saying it is motivated,” remarked Justice Patel. 

The court emphasized that it would not permit “unregulated slaughter of animals anywhere” as there is a need to maintain hygiene. “Let us make it clear, we are not going to permit any unregulated or unmonitored slaughter of animals anywhere. There needs to be some level of civic hygiene and sanitation maintained,” added Justice Patel. It further added that there was a need to preserve the area surrounding the fort.

According to the petition, the dargah within the fort precinct was one of the most ancient and historical monuments in Maharashtra. It was constructed in the 11th century and visited by both Hindus and Muslims. The plea claimed that animal sacrifice at the dargah was an integral custom. Also, the actual sacrifice is not carried out in a public place but at a privately-owned land and is performed behind closed doors.

These offerings are then served to pilgrims and others at the dargah and have been a source of food to many poor and backward people residing in the surrounding villages of Vishalgad fort.

Petitioner soughts Stay Order

Terming the ban as arbitrary, discriminatory, unjust, high handed, oppressive, and violative of their fundamental rights, the petitioner has sought a stay on the same. 

Petitioner’s advocate Satish Talekar sought an interim stay on the collector’s order which was refused by the bench saying: ““There is no question of interim relief in matters like this. It is an irreversible process. We are not going to permit unregulated and unmonitored slaughter anywhere for any purpose. There is an invocation of the need to maintain correct hygiene and cleanliness.” 

The HC has kept the PIL for hearing on July 5.

Maharashtra

Anti-drug rally of Govindi Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: A massive anti-drug rally was taken out today under the leadership of Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi to draw attention to the serious problem of drug addiction and illegal drug trade in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar assembly constituency and to create public awareness against it.

Thousands of workers and local citizens participated in the rally. Protesters took to the streets and demanded strict action against the illegal drug trade and appealed to the youth to stay away from drugs.
The main objective of the rally was to free the youth of the area from the clutches of drugs and to put pressure on the administration to stop this illegal trade. Abu Asim Azmi himself led the rally and stressed the need for immediate and strict action against the drug problem in the area. Not only party workers but also a large number of mothers, sisters, young and old citizens of the area participated in the demonstration, highlighting the seriousness of the problem.

The drug problem in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency has been a topic of discussion for many years and it is badly affecting the lives of local citizens. By organizing this rally, MLA Azmi has once again shown his determination to solve this important problem faced by the citizens of his constituency. Speaking on the occasion, MLA Abu Asim Azmi warned the administration: “Immediate and strict action should be taken against those involved in the illegal drug trade, otherwise the Samajwadi Party and the local citizens will intensify the protest.” The rally proved to be an important rally in drawing attention to the social and health problems of the Mankhurdshivaji Nagar area.

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Maharashtra

A new police station should be established in Govandi Shivaji Nagar. Maharashtra SP leader Abu Asim Azmi demands from Police Commissioner Devin Bharti

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abu aasim aazmi

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has demanded the establishment of a new police station in Shivaji Nagar constituency from Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti. He said that the old police station has been shifted to Mahada, which makes it very difficult to reach the police station from the SMS company area and it takes half an hour to an hour. In such a situation, a new police station should be established in Shivaji Nagar constituency. There has been an increase in drug abuse, crimes and other incidents in Shivaji Nagar and Govindi areas, along with an increase in the population here. It is necessary to establish a police station in proportion to the population, while the presence of police stations and personnel is not there in proportion to the population. He said that Police Commissioner Devin Bharti has said that after the recruitment of police, the police station will be established and manpower will be deployed in the police stations. Along with this, Abu Asim Azmi has also accused the local administration of irregularities in the distribution of funds along with the establishment of the police station. He said that now the corporation and The BMC election has not been held, there are Samajwadi Party corporators here but they are not being provided funds, but whoever joins the Shinde group is provided funds, this is complete injustice and therefore the funds should be distributed equally. He said that the government has no concern with the slum areas, the police presence will remain in Walkashore, Malabar Hill and Cuffe Parade, but there is no police presence in the slum areas and there is a shortage of them, that is why the bat chowki that we have built with our own funds in Govindi is also empty, there is no police personnel in it.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Accident: 1 Killed, 6 Others Injured As Speeding Tempo Traveller Crashes Into BEST Bus In Dadar

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Mumbai: A speeding tempo traveller crashed into a BEST bus and two other vehicles in Dadar late Sunday night, killing one and injuring six, including three brothers. The victim was identified as Shahabuddin Zainulabdeen Shaikh, 37, a clothes vendor, said the Shivaji Park police, adding that medical examination confirmed that the driver, Sandesh Kumbhar, 27, was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Kumbhar, a resident of Wadala, was driving in a rash and negligent manner. According to BEST, the fatal mishap occurred around 11.30 pm near the Dadar Plaza bus stop, when a tempo traveller, heading towards Shivaji Park, lost control. It collided with the front right side of a BEST bus that was en route to Pratiksha Nagar from the Worli depot.

After crashing into the bus, the tempo traveller also struck a taxi and another tourist vehicle, damaging both. “The impact caused the bus to veer left, hitting pedestrians and passengers waiting at the stop. Shahabuddin, a pedestrian, died on the spot,” said an official.

Those injured were identified as brothers Rahul Padale, 30, Rohit Padale, 33, and Akshay Padale, 25. The remaining three are Vidya Mote, 30, Abhishek Rautkar, 24, and Abdul Nadir, 23. While Nadir is from Wadala, the rest are from Sion. They were immediately rushed to Sion Hospital with the help of the bus conductor and local police personnel. The police have registered a case of accidental death against Kumbhar.

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