India, March 28 -- The Delhi government will crack down on "illegal" meat sellers, particularly those operating on streets, ahead of Chaitra Navratri, Public Works Department (PWD) minister Parvesh Verma announced in the Assembly on Thursday.

His remarks came in response to BJP MLA Karnail Singh, who raised concerns about meat being sold "openly on footpaths" before the nine-day festival.

"Navratri is approaching, and the sale of meat in public spaces in Delhi hurts our sentiments. Many shops operate without licenses. I urge the minister to immediately shut down all meat shops running on footpaths," Singh said during Question Hour.

Verma assured action, stating that officials had already been directed to close such establishments. "All...