The Gujarat government has banned slaughter of animals and birds as well as sale of meat, chicken and fish in its municipalities from August 29 to September 5 for the Jain fasting period of 'Paryushan'. In big cities like Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara, there is no ban of sale of poultry, meat and fish, though slaughterhouses will remain closed. The issue has reached Gujarat high court which has sought explanation from the government.

The issue has reached Gujarat high court which has sought explanation from the government.

A 2008 Supreme Court order approved closure of abattoirs during 'Paryushan' to respect religious sentiments of the minority Jain community. With this order, apart from closure of slaughter houses in municipality limits, the director of municipalities has also banned sale of meat and fish by issuing a circular on August 22.

This matter was first heard by Justice S H Vora, who asked the state to file a reply explaining the decision. The judge asked to place this case before an appropriate bench. "The matter will be taken up for hearing on Thursday," said petitioner's advocate Jay Thakkar.

Earlier this week the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had protested in Mumbai against a similar ban in the city ahead of the Ganesha festival and Paryushan.

Abattoirs and chicken mutton shops were ordered to be shut by the authorities ahead of the festival. The MNS said such bans had no place in a democratic set up.