Varanasi mayor orders meat shops to remain shut during Navratri

Varanasi/UP: All meat and fish shops within the Varanasi municipal limits will remain closed throughout Navratri, and shops violating the order will invite punishment, PTI reported, citing officials.

The Varanasi Municipal Corporation comprises 100 corporators, including 14 from the Muslim community.

Mayor Ashok Tiwari has issued instructions directing the closure of all such shops and slaughterhouses during the nine-day Navratri festival, Municipal Corporation Public Relations Officer Sandeep Srivastava said.

He said the mayor has tasked veterinary officer, Dr Santosh Pal, with ensuring strict compliance with the order through regular inspections.

Any violation of the directive will invite action against concerned vendors as per municipal regulations, Srivastava added.

The sale of meat is restricted or is completely banned in UP for several Hindu festivals.

In March, there was also news of shutdown orders for meat shops, fish shops, and slaughterhouses in Varanasi during Navratri. A proposal regarding this was passed unanimously at an Executive Council meeting of the municipal corporation, then, PTI reported.

Announcing the decision on Friday (March 28, 2025), Mayor Ashok Tiwari said, "Considering the religious significance of Kashi and sentiments of the devotees, it has been decided to close all fish and meat shops during Navratri."

Any shopkeeper found violating this order will face strict action, he said.

Mayor Tiwari said then that Muslims should consider that their Hindu brothers find Navratri most sacred and therefore the meat slaughter ban must remain for nine days, Money Control had reported.

Earlier this year, the Uttar Pradesh government had also directed a ban on the sale of meat within 500 metres of religious places during the nine-day Chaitra Navratri festival, with a complete ban on it on the last day, when Ram Navami is celebrated.