MUMBAI: Different communities live together in this ‘cosmopolitan city’. Mumbai, the financial capital of India, boasts of diverse cultures and communities united, however, going by the recent decision announced by civic body of the city, a case of communal discrimination can still be sensed.

Giving in to the demands raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators and Jain organizations, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has banned meat in Mumbai for four days during the Jain fasting season of Paryushan. While the BMC usually restricts slaughter and sale of meat for two days during Paryushan, this year it enforced the four-day ban across Mumbai.

The ban comes days after the BJP ruled Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation banned the sale of meat for eight days at the time of the fasting season and months after the ban on cow slaughter and subsequently on beef products.

Speaking on the same, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said, “Jains are a backbone of our Hindu society and there is no harm in getting vegetarian for them for few days. In my opinion, non-vegetarian food is unhealthy and brings a lot of diseases. We obviously cannot force anyone to turn vegetarian but certainly can suggest people to be one.”

Even though it is only for few days (specific dates from September 11 – 18), the move is being criticized majorly in many circles for its religious drive. The decision was sure to not go too well with the Indian Twitterati, be it meat lovers or not.

Soon after the decision as announced, #meatban was trending on the micro-blogging site Twitter across the country and was amongst the top trends in India on Tuesday.

Let’s take a look on how people are responding to the latest decision on #meatban:

@IamOnir amazing how we r letting this happen in a so-called democracy. hw is one religion bigger than the rest? #meatban — Ms. Wisdomous (@nirjhara) September 8, 2015

When We’ve dry day on 2 Oct, 15 Aug, 26 Jan, Muharram, Buddha Purnima, Nanak Jayanti then whats bad in #meatban for 4 days in Jain Festival? — Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) September 8, 2015

Ban french kiss on Jains festival #MeatBan — Critically Your’s ✘ (@thebakwaashour) September 7, 2015

I am a veggie myself (not jain) but I feel this #MeatBan is a ridiculous idea. — Emm Gee (@milindgandhi) September 7, 2015

Rather than Acche Din slogan, Ab Ki Baar Ban wale Din would have been better! The latest being #MeatBan!!! — neeru bahl (@NBahl9) September 7, 2015

Why not onion and garlic? I am pretty sure dedicated Jains don’t consume onion and garlic. What a ludicrous society we live in! #MeatBan — Asrar (@helloiamasrar) September 7, 2015

Every year meat is banned for a couple of days.but this time it’s for 7 days. RSS is really making its presence in Maharashtra #meatban — Yudhishthir Chede (@onlyyudhs) September 7, 2015

I don’t eat non veg during 10 days of Ganeshotsav, so I won’t be affected by #MeatBan, but, banning it because somebody’s fasting is stupid — Sandesh Samant (@sandesh_samant) September 7, 2015

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