Kanwar Yatra: Plea in Allahabad High Court challenges closure of meat shops in Varanasi

The Allahabad High Court is examining a plea challenging the Varanasi administration's closure of meat shops during the Kanwar Yatra, a major Hindu pilgrimage. The petitioner argues that the closure, which is implemented to avoid communal tensions during the Yatra, is discriminatory and violates fundamental rights. They claim it disproportionately affects the livelihoods of local meat vendors and is unjustified given the lack of specific incidents warranting such action. The court is being asked to assess whether the administration's decision aligns with legal and constitutional principles. The case reflects broader issues of balancing religious observances with individual rights and economic impacts.