Varanasi Municipal Corporation passes order to shut meat shops during month of Sawan
'Taking into account several factors, including the large influx of Kanwariyas in Varanasi during the month of Sawan, a resolution was passed to ban the sale of meat within the municipal limits, which span around 183 square miles,' Varanasi Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari said.
It is estimated that around 1-1.5 lakh people visit Varanasi daily, but during the month of Sawan, the number of devotees increases to nearly four to five lakh per month, primarily due to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
Teams were dispatched on Saturday morning to enforce the order to close all meat shops.
Tiwari added that instructions have been issued to the authorities concerned to take necessary action, and strict legal measures will be taken against shopkeepers found violating the order.
The municipal corporation's executive committee meeting was held on Friday. Several government officials were also present. Tiwari said that during the meeting, executive member Hanuman Prasad proposed a ban on meat and fish shops within the municipal limits for the month of Sawan. The proposal was passed unanimously, keeping in mind that Varanasi, as a religious city, attracts visitors with spiritual sentiments, and the aim is to ensure they leave with the same positive feelings, Tiwari said.
When contacted, Varanasi Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Santosh Pal, said that as per the directive, the process of closing all meat and fish shops in the district has begun. 'Teams have been deployed to ensure complete closure of meat shops. This order does not apply to restaurants serving non-vegetarian food,' he said.
He added that there are around 350 meat shops within the city's municipal limits, and all of them were operating without licences from the municipal corporation.
Last year, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation had passed a resolution banning the operation of shops within a two-kilometre radius of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Despite the directive, some shops remained open, prompting the corporation to issue notices for violations. Shop owners, however, alleged harassment, claiming they were asked to shut down without any alternative arrangements.
Most of the meat shops are located in areas such as Nai Sadak, Beniabagh, Sheikh Salim Phatak, and other neighbourhoods.
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