Haryana, India; On April 17, the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed Haryana Government’s order banning sale and purchase of meat and meat products in Mata Mansa Devi temple area located in Haryana’s Panchkula district.
The Additional Chief Secretary to the Haryana Government, Urban Local Bodies Department issued a notification demarcated the area near Mata Mansa Devi temple as a “Holy Area” and banned the slaughter, sale and purchase of meat and meat products near the temple.
The meat sellers moved the Court claiming that the State Government’s order does not refer to a statutory provision in the order to ban the slaughter, sale and purchase of meat and meat products near the temple. Furthermore, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the ban was violative of their rights to carry on their business and occupation. The petitioner’s counsel also argued that the meat sellers had valid licenses.
Mata Mansa Devi is dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti, in the Panchkula district. It is one of the prominent Shakti temples of north India. Maharaja Gopal Singh of Mani Majra constructed the present main temple of Shri Mansa Devi.
In November 2022, BJP leader and Haryana’s Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said, “All liquor shops will be closed in the designated area of Mata Mansa Devi temple. There will be a complete ban on the sale of liquor in an area of about 2.5 kilometres from the temple.” The decision was taken to safeguard religious sentiments of devotees who visit the temple.
