Centre for Liberty challenges Republic Day meat ban in Kurnool as unconstitutional

The Centre for Liberty has written to the Municipal Commissioner of Kurnool Municipal Corporation objecting to the reported direction prohibiting the sale of meat and meat products within municipal limits on January 26, 2026, on the occasion of Republic Day.

In its representation, the Centre has stated that Republic Day is a constitutional and secular national holiday and that there is no legal, cultural, or constitutional basis to associate the day with dietary restrictions or moral prescriptions. The organisation has argued that a blanket ban on a lawful trade on this ground is arbitrary and without authority of law.

The representation points out that the powers of the Municipal Commissioner are governed by the Andhra Pradesh Municipal Corporations Act, 1994, read with the Hyderabad Municipal Corporations Act, 1955. These laws permit regulation of trades only on grounds such as public health, nuisance, or danger to life or property. They do not authorise event based or calendar based prohibitions on lawful businesses.

The Centre has further stated that the ban violates Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to carry on a lawful occupation or trade, and fails the test of reasonable restriction under Article 19(6). The absence of any stated public health or law and order justification also renders the action arbitrary and vulnerable under Article 14.

The representation also refers to recent instances where similar bans were questioned by courts or withdrawn by authorities after criticism, indicating growing recognition that such measures lack legal foundation.

“The state cannot convert a constitutional national holiday into an occasion for arbitrary regulation of food habits or livelihoods,” said Ajay Mallareddy of the Centre for Liberty. “Republic Day should reaffirm constitutional values of liberty and equality, not dilute them through administrative overreach.”

A copy of the representation has been marked to the District Collector, Kurnool, and the Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission. The Centre has sought an early response and has stated that it reserves the right to pursue appropriate legal remedies if the matter is not addressed.

For further information:
Ajay Mallareddy
Centre for Liberty
ajay@centreforliberty.org