Moradabad, Sept. 22 -- Samajwadi Party leader ST Hasan on Monday said that the demand to close non-veg shops during Navratri is a clear "bid to polarise and fool people" along religious lines.

The SP leader mentioned that the "country belongs to everyone" and no one should have the right to restrict people's food choices.

"This country belongs to everyone...Not just Muslims but even Christians and Sikhs consume non-veg. How can you stop anyone from consuming it during Navratri or Kanwar Yatra? Who are you to do that? Do Hindus not consume non-veg during Navratri and Kanwar Yatra?" the SP leader told ANI here.

Criticising the demand, he questioned why five star hotels that serve meat have not been asked to stop, while other shops are be...