Prohibition on open meat sales threaten livelihood in Madhya Pradesh

Maihar city is located about 470 kilometres away from Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. Here Mohammed Shamim, basking in the December afternoon sun, is waiting for customers to come to his shop. What is Shamim's shop for? To know the answer to this question, you must remove the curtains in front of his shop and take a peek inside. Shamim runs a chicken shop. But like the weather outside, their business is also cold. He tells us,

“We will take out the remaining goods and close the shop in two or three days.”

During the initial cabinet meeting of the Madhya Pradesh government on December 13, an order was released prohibiting the open sale of meat and fish across the state. Subsequently, the majority of traders involved in this industry in Maihar are apprehensive about their source of income. They argue that they haven't been provided with a designated meat market by the government. This leaves them unsure about where to conduct their business and they are in a quandary about this. Despite installing curtains in their shops, they express concern this will adversely affect their livelihood.

Fish market, behind the curtains

In the city's area along Satna Road, near Baba Pond, approximately 32 shopkeepers earn their living by selling fish at the local market. Once, these sellers occupied the roadside, but the market has now been moved behind the scenes. Ram Vishesh Kevat, who's been in the business for 40 years, revealed that following a government directive, all shopkeepers, including himself, have started operating behind closed doors. However, this move has led to a 20% reduction in his business.

“We invest about Rs 5,000, out of which only Rs 500 to 600 are left after the sell”

Ram Vishesh states that he acquires fish from the city's ponds for Rs 140 per kg and sells it for Rs 150 per kg. Thus, making a decent profit of Rs 10 per kg.

Non-permanent market

These city shopkeepers conduct their business on a private plot. The traders currently operate with the landowner's consent. "Where will I go if they remove me from here?" wonders one man. Among them is Rinku Burman (23), a fish merchant.

“If the government builds a fish market for us, we can set up a shop there. This way we will get a permanent place and no one will have any objection.”

The fish trade contributes a significant 5.23% of the country's agricultural GDP, as per economic surveys conducted during 2018-19. This industry also employs 14.5 million people, a number inclusive of farmers who practice fish farming in ponds. In Madhya Pradesh specifically, nearly 3.97 lakh hectares of land (including ponds and tanks) are dedicated to fish farming.

Meat market is in name only

Much like Mohammad Shamim, Akbar Ali, aged 55, is also involved in the meat trade in the Purani Basti region of the city. He informed us that a specific location had been sanctioned for a meat market within the city, yet the only infrastructure provided were tin sheds. Ali escorted us to the location of this 'Mandi'. To get there, we had to traverse a narrow path. Within the market, we observed goats belonging to residents tethered, and an area measuring approximately 5x8 square feet had been demarcated with paint and sequentially numbered.

Ali says,

“There are no facilities here. Leave aside the electric fan, not even a drain has been made to get the water out.”

He noted that slaughtering the chickens or fish at the market would result in waste trapped within the premises, leading to decay. This issue is further compounded by protests from residents, who fear that the stench and grime could foster disease, making them susceptible. The market's infrastructure further exacerbates this issue, as the lack of a concrete floor, means that even a single day's operation could create considerable amounts of mud.

Deepening crisis in the meat market of the era of kings

A large area in front of a mosque, called Rahim Chowk of Maihar, is currently lying deserted. An open meat market is organised here three times a week. Saadia Bi, who does business here, says that this market has been here since the times of kings. The thatched house from which she was coming out is her home. Saadia is left with only Rs 3,000 in total in a week. Responding to this decision of the government, she says,

“The government has not given us any employment, on the contrary, it is going to snatch it away.”

Hindu organizations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have been opposing the setting up of a meat market in this part of the city for a long time. Shyam Tripathi, district coordinator of Bajrang Dal Vishwa Hindu Parishad, says,

“Where this market is held, there is a temple of Bajrangbali… Our Hindu mothers and sisters face problems due to alcohol consumption here during Navratri. Therefore, we demand that there should be a complete ban on the sale of meat in Maihar.”

Question regarding new market

The new government's policy in Madhya Pradesh is an important topic of discussion. While it appears to be favourable to the ruling party's vote bank, it also carries the responsibility of providing necessary facilities like a meat market to those that depend on it for their livelihood. In light of this situation, directives have been issued by the Chief Minister to ensure that in the interim period before a new market is established, the traders are provided with sheds. Responding to these developments, Akbar Ali says,

"The government should establish markets in accessible areas for public convenience. If the markets are constructed far from the city, the added transportation costs might lead to financial losses for us."

Video report

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