In a landmark judgment, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled against the denial of a slaughterhouse permit in Mandsaur city based on claims that the city holds “religious” significance. The court called this rationale “wholly unacceptable,” emphasising that legal provisions, not religious sentiment, must guide such decisions.
Justice Pranay Verma, delivering the order on December 17, clarified that the state government’s 2011 notification under the Madhya Pradesh Municipalities Act, which declared a 100-meter radius in Mandsaur as a sacred area, does not extend to the entire city.
“The argument that Mandsaur is a religious city and hence no slaughterhouse can be allowed is not acceptable. The law regulates such matters, and the sacred designation applies only to specific zones, not the whole city,” the court stated.
The petitioner, Sabir Hussain, had challenged the municipal corporation’s rejection of his application for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to establish a slaughterhouse. The court directed the municipal body to issue the NOC, subject to compliance with pollution control laws, ensuring that the slaughterhouse operates within legal and environmental guidelines.
This ruling is important as it should be seen as a reaffirmation of constitutional principles, safeguarding the rights of individuals while maintaining adherence to regulatory frameworks in the face of pressure from right wing forces to implement their majoritarian agenda across the length and breadth of the country.
