The Bombay High Court on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, addressed a petition from the Jain community seeking a 10-day closure of slaughterhouses in Mumbai during their Paryushan Parv festival. A division bench, consisting of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne, acknowledged the community's sentiments but questioned the legal basis for demanding such an extensive shutdown.
The court's query challenged the very foundation of the request: "Where do you derive the right to ask for slaughter houses to be closed for 10 days?". This pointed question encapsulates the central issue – the absence of a law mandating such closures. The court emphasized that while it respected the Jain community's beliefs, any order it issues must be grounded in existing legal provisions.
The petitions before the court contested an August 14 order by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner, which permitted the closure of slaughterhouses for only two days during Paryushan Parv. The BMC chief had justified the limited closure by citing the relatively small size of the Jain population in the city.
Paryushan Parv is an important Jain festival emphasizing Ahimsa (non-violence). The Digambar community observes it from August 20 to 27, while the Shwetambar community observes it from August 21 to 28. The Jain community argued that allowing slaughter during this sacred time is detrimental to the core principles of Jainism.
During the hearing, Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, representing the Jain community, drew a comparison with Ahmedabad, where slaughterhouses are closed for the entire duration of the festival. Senior Advocate Prasad Dhakephalkar, also appearing for the community, argued that convincing Emperor Akbar to close slaughterhouses was easier than persuading the BMC or the Maharashtra government. He highlighted that the BMC should consider the Jain population in comparison to non-vegetarians, also noting that many non-vegetarians abstain from meat during the Shravan period in Maharashtra.
The court, however, remained firm, stating that there was no legally enforceable right to a complete closure. The Chief Justice noted that while the Ahmedabad case went up to the Supreme Court, it did not establish a legal right mandating such closures. The court also pointed out that there are fundamental duties regarding compassion for animals, but these do not automatically translate into a legal obligation to close slaughterhouses.
The BMC informed the court that the government currently mandates the closure of slaughterhouses for 16 days annually. For this year, the slaughterhouses would be closed on August 24 and 27. The BMC argued that extending the closure was not feasible because the Deonar slaughterhouse serves not only Mumbai but the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The High Court issued a notice to the BMC and the state government, seeking their response to the plea. While the court did not grant immediate relief, it assured the petitioners that it would consider the issue for the coming years. The court underscored that any decision must align with the law, even while acknowledging and respecting the Jain community's sentiments.
