Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 29 (ANI): Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam has urged Mumbai Police to shut down street-side Shawarma stalls and other non-vegetarian food vendors during the festival of Navratri, stating that such sales hurt Hindu sentiments.
Addressing the issue, Nirupam said, "From tomorrow, the holy festival of Navratri will start. A large number of Hindu devotees will observe fast and worship the goddess. In such a situation, Shawarma stalls are open on the roads in Mumbai, and non-veg is sold there. This is hurting Hindu sentiments."
He claimed that there are over 250 Shawarma stalls in Andheri East alone and announced that he, along with party members, would approach the MIDC Police Station to demand action against street vendors selling non-vegetarian food during Navratri.
"Today, we are going to MIDC PS against this and requesting the police to shut down the shops selling non-veg on the streets at least during the days of Navratri," he stated.
Nirupam clarified that his demand does not apply to restaurants operating indoors but only to street vendors.
"Someone selling non-veg in a closed restaurant, they can do it, but selling non-veg on the streets during Navratri days definitely hurts the sentiments of Hindus," he added.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora attacked the Opposition parties on Saturday for trying to "mislead the muslim community" on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, and urging the community to trust the government to initiate reforms which would benefit them and their children.
"We have to understand that when it comes to the issue of Waqf, that whenever there is an issue that relates to a particular community, there are certain people who try to mislead the community that the government is doing something against them," Milind Deora told ANI.
Deora requested the Muslim community to "trust the government" and allow reforms which would help even their children.
"I will only urge my Muslim brothers and sisters, while I wish them Eid in advance, I would urge them not to fall into the trap of these people who only want to use them as a vote banks to join the mainstream, trust the government, initiate reforms which will benefit them and their children in the long run," he said.
The Shiv Sena MP's comments come amidst the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) announcing a nationwide peaceful protest against the proposed changes to the Waqf Board, urging people to wear a black arm band. (ANI)