VARANASI, July 1 -- Varanasi meat and fish traders, along with members of various political parties and representatives of civil society, submitted a memorandum to the municipal commissioner on Tuesday, demanding the withdrawal of the decision to relocate meat, poultry and fish shops outside Varanasi city. The group also staged a protest at the Varanasi Nagar Nigam office after marching through the Sigra area. Members of political parties, including the Samajwadi Party (SP), Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Left parties, along with social activists participated in the protest. Dinesh Chauhan of the Chaukaghat Fish Market said the Varanasi Nagar Nigam's decision is not merely a matter of business regulation but a direct attack on the livelihoods of thousands of small traders, workers and their families. A member of the city's Bengali community, which has a population of over one lakh, said the removal of fish shops would cause immense inconvenience to thousands of fish consumers in Varanasi. Consumers would have to travel several kilometres simply to purchase fish or meat, he said. Samajwadi Party corporator Haroon demanded immediate withdrawal of the VNN's decision. He urged the civic bodies to conduct a survey of meat and fish vendors and provide them with facilities in accordance with regulations, including licenses, necessary certificates, hygienic and permanent shop structures, cold storage, clean water, electricity, and scientific waste management. Congress city president Raghavendra Chaubey said Varanasi has for centuries been a city known for its diverse cultures, communities, and culinary traditions. Imposing restrictions on people's food choices and livelihoods based on a single ideology, he said, runs contrary to the city's multicultural identity and the spirit of the Constitution.Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party district president Kailash Patel urged the authorities to register them under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, and allot them space in designate vending zones.Meera Devi of the Purana Pul Fish Market demanded that the decision to relocate meat, fish and poultry shops outside the city limits be withdrawn....