Shutting down of illegal abattoirs is not an issue of being Hindu or Muslim: Keshav Prasad Maurya

Edited excerpts of an interview with UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya:

On the hurry to close down abattoirs
We are simply fulfilling what we promised at the time of elections. The party manifesto clearly mentions closure of illegal abattoirs.

On the poor conditions in government slaughterhouses
In UP, milch animals were being slaughtered. In place of milk, blood was flowing across the state. We will modernise and improve all abattoirs, government or private.

On reports that the Bajrang Dal and the Shiv Sena are creating fear
We do not have any report from any place but any illegal work will be questioned — there can be no compromise on this front.

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On the impression that Muslims are being targeted
It is not an issue of being a Hindu or a Muslim. We are talking of what is legal and what is not. How does religion come into that?

On traders asking for more time
Relaxation for illegal work might have been possible during the SP-BSP regime but not under the BJP government. No leeway can be given for any wrong work.