Fishermen raise a stink over raw meat ban in Metro

The fishing community based mainly in Versova is fuming at the Reliance-led Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) for prohibiting raw or uncooked meat from being carried in the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro-1 corridor. MMOPL, however, has said that it is following the Metro Railway Act, which prohibits raw and uncooked meat from being carried inside the Metro.

The issue has taken political overtones with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) opposing MMOPL’s move, saying it is a ploy of the government to differentiate between vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

Rajhans Tapke, a fisherman from Versova, said: “We have fish markets at Ghatkopar, Marol, Saki Naka and Andheri, places which the Metro corridor passes through. But we are not allowed inside the Metro just because we are carrying fish. What is the purpose of a public transport system when we cannot use it Also, if there is a law that prohibits us from carrying fish inside the Metro, then I’m sure that it can be changed.”

The issue came to light on Sunday after a guard at the security checkpoint of a Metro station stopped a passenger for carrying fish, which he had bought from the Andheri fish market.

The MNS took to the streets on Monday, with its leader Shalini Thackeray meeting MMOPL officials. “If people travelling in local trains, BEST buses, autos and taxis are allowed to carry raw meat, why don’t we have the same rule for people travelling by Metro ” asked Ms Thackeray.

Meanwhile, MMOPL said in a statement: “Raw and uncooked meat is prohibited inside the Metro to avoid any inconvenience to fellow passengers in a closed-door air-conditioned environment. The law is followed across all the Metros in the country as per the Metro Act.”