Licences and clearances for slaughterhouse operations in Haridwar cancelled ahead of the Kumbh Mela.
The Trivendra Singh Rawat-led Uttarakhand government has issued an order ahead of the Kumbh Mela, declaring all urban local bodies in Haridwar “slaughterhouse-free” areas. The government has also cancelled previously given licences and clearances for slaughterhouses to operate.
The notification has been issued by Uttarakhand's Urban Development Department. The demand for slaughter houses to not be allowed in Haridwar came from Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs from the area. They wrote to Chief Minister Rawat.
Cabinet minister and spiritual guru Satpal Maharaj has supported the demand and has urged Rawat to issue an order "to stop the operations of the slaughterhouses in Haridwar city".
Maharaj said that no pashu vadhh will take place in Haridwar, slaughter houses are not being allowed in the city and it is good news for devotees.