Claims circulating on social media suggest that BJP councillor Meenadevi Purohit stated that raw fish and meat cannot be sold in Kolkata. However, reports clarify that she raised concerns about unhygienic chicken sales in Ward 22, particularly at Jagannath Ghat, where uncovered meat attracts flies and creates foul odors. Purohit noted that open meat sales contribute to visual pollution citywide and stressed the need for regulations to improve hygiene. Reports indicate that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation is now considering measures to address the issue.
Making a post on X (Formerly Twitter) propaganda account @SecularBengali wrote, “Bohiragoto councillor of BJP Meenadevi Purohit said that raw fish and meat cannot be sold in Kolkata. Will these outsiders now decide how fish and meat will be sold in Kolkata? Will they decide what we eat? If it smells so much, then they should immediately leave Bengal.”
Several other users, influencers and propagandists have also disseminated the claims. Their posts can be seen here, @unfiltrdtrth, @ananyac80655993.
The truth behind the claims about BJP councillor Meenadevi Purohit, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the claims made by propagandists came to our attention. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis regarding the claims. We performed relevant keyword searches and found several reports regarding her statement.
According to the reports (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), Meenadevi Purohit, councillor of Ward 22, expressed concerns about the unhygienic sale of chicken meat in her ward. She highlighted that chicken is being sold openly, without proper covering, at Jagannath Ghat, attracting flies and causing unpleasant odors. She further noted that this issue is prevalent not only in her ward but across Kolkata, where chicken and mutton are often sold in the open, leading to visual pollution and an unpleasant atmosphere.
Purohit suggested the need for rules and guidelines to regulate meat shops to address these issues and improve public hygiene. As per reports, Kolkata Municipal Corporation has started thinking about the issue.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that Meenadevi Purohit has never said that raw fish and meat can’t be sold in Kolkata.
2871
— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 22, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: Claims circulating on social media alleging that BJP councilor Meenadevi Purohit stated raw fish & meat cannot be sold in Kolkata.But, reports clarify that Meenadevi Purohit,councilor of Ward 22, expressed concerns about the unhygienic sale (1/4) pic.twitter.com/lhssuKMhD9
Intent
Propagandists are circulating misleading claims about Meenadevi Purohit to support unhygienic and polluted meat markets.
Conclusion
Claim– Meenadevi Purohit stated that raw fish and meat cannot be sold in Kolkata.
Fact– Meenadevi Purohit expressed concerns about the unhygienic sale of chicken meat in her ward. She suggested the need for rules and guidelines to regulate meat shops to address these issues and improve public hygiene.
Related Article: Large crowd chanted Modi’s name in Jalpaiguri? : Fact
