Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam demands closure of street-side Shawarma and non-veg vendors during Navratri; clarifies indoor restaurants excluded from appeal.
Mumbai, March 29: As Chaitra Navratri begins, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam has appealed to Mumbai Police to temporarily shut down street-side Shawarma stalls and non-vegetarian food vendors, claiming such activity during the holy festival “hurts Hindu sentiments.”
“From tomorrow, the holy festival of Navratri will start. A large number of Hindu devotees will observe fast and worship the goddess. In such a situation, Shawarma stalls open on the roads and non-veg is sold—this is hurting Hindu sentiments,” Nirupam said.
According to the former MP, there are over 250 Shawarma stalls in Andheri East alone. He stated that he and his party members would approach MIDC Police Station to request immediate action.
“We are going to MIDC Police Station to demand the closure of these street stalls selling non-veg, at least during Navratri days,” he said.
Nirupam clarified that his objection is not aimed at indoor restaurants but strictly at roadside vendors.
“Someone selling non-veg inside a closed restaurant is fine. But doing it openly on streets during Navratri offends many. It’s about respecting public sentiment,” he emphasized.
Deora on Waqf Bill: “Don’t Fall into the Trap”
Meanwhile, fellow Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora took aim at Opposition parties for allegedly misleading the Muslim community on the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
“Whenever there is a community-related issue, some people try to create fear that the government is acting against them,” Deora told ANI.
Appealing for calm and trust, Deora urged Muslims to look at the broader benefit of reforms.
“While I wish my Muslim brothers and sisters a happy Eid in advance, I urge them not to fall into the trap of those who treat them as vote banks. Trust the government. These reforms are for the long-term benefit of their children,” he said.
Deora’s remarks come in response to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s (AIMPLB) call for nationwide peaceful protests, where members were urged to wear black armbands to oppose the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act.