BJP MLA opposes state’s move to export livestock

Mumbai: The Devendra Fadnavis-led government’s decision to export goats and sheep for slaughter to Saudi Arabia has angered the Jain community. Senior BJP leader Mangal Prabhat Lodha has urged the Union government and Mr Fadnavis to reconsider the decision.

The state government has taken the decision to export goats and sheep to Saudi Arabia and the first consignment of one lakh goats and sheep is expected to be exported soon.

Jain organisations are opposing the state government’s decision as they suspect that meat-exporting companies are behind it. MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha has objected to the decision and even spoke to Union commerce ministers Suresh Prabhu, Nitin Gadkari and Maneka Gandhi, requesting a ban on export of livestock. Mr Lodha met the governor C Vidyasagar Rao, Mr Fadnavis and state finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, along with BJP leader Shaina NC and representatives of Jain organisations.

According to some members of the Jain community, this decision of exporting animals could prove costly for the government. They claimed that Jains and Hindus would come out strongly against the export. After anguished reactions from the Jain community and animal lovers, the government, too, is reconsidering the decision, said animal husbandry minister Mahadeo Jankar.

Mr Lodha told this newspaper that Union ministers and Mr Fadnavis have assured that they would  reconsider the decision.