MANGALURU: The new Central Market that is being built in the city has already run into a controversy with the BJP-ruled city’s corporation officials proposing nine beef stalls in the lower ground floor of the structure, inviting the anger of Hindu organisations who, on Monday, warned of protests.
Earlier, the shopkeepers had protested against plans to demolish and rebuild the market and had approached court. Later, it was demolished to construct a new market under the Smart City Project, at a cost of Rs 114 crore.
The corporation has prepared a fresh blueprint for the market and included nine beef stalls along with chicken, fish and mutton stalls. Hindu organisations have appealed to local MLA Vedavyas Kamath to intervene in the matter. The opposition to the proposal comes in the light of theft of cows and illegal slaughterhouses operating in several parts of the district.
“We oppose the decision of Mangaluru City Corporation to allow nine beef stalls in the Central Market that is being built in the city. We have appealed to representatives of the government to withdraw the decision in order to prevent illegal slaughter of cows. If they allow it, more cow slaughter and thefts will happen in the coming days. If they do not withdraw the decision, we will protest against the government”, said Puneeth Attavar, a Bajarang Dal leader.