Odisha's Koraput Imposes Meat Ban on Republic Day, Sparks Debate on Freedom of Choice
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The Koraput district administration in Odisha has issued a directive banning the sale of meat, chicken, fish, and eggs on Republic Day, citing the need for a uniform national celebration. However, the move has sparked controversy, with some arguing that it infringes upon the right to freedom of choice. District Collector Manoj Satyaban Mahajan sent the directive to officials, stating that residents should opt for vegetarian food as a mark of respect for the national occasion. However, lawyer Satyabadi Mohapatra believes that the directive violates the Constitution's Articles 14 and 15, which guarantee equality and prohibit discrimination on grounds of religion. Resident Bidyut Khara expressed concerns that the ban will harm the livelihoods of meat and fish vendors, who rely on daily sales. He suggested that the administration could have regulated outlet timings instead of imposing a blanket ban. This is not the first instance of such a directive in India. In the past, municipal authorities have banned the sale of meat on various occasions, including Independence Day in Maharashtra, the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and Hindu and Jain religious festivals in Indore. These moves have raised concerns about the exercise of freedom of choice and the potential infringement of individual rights. As the debate continues, the Koraput district administration's decision to impose a meat ban on Republic Day has sparked a wider discussion about the balance between national celebrations and individual freedoms.
