Meat Shops To Be Closed In Varanasi For Sawan; Violators To Face Strict Legal Action

The Varanasi Municipal Corporation has passed a resolution to close all meat and fish shops within muncipal limits for the holy Hindu month of Sawan, which began on Friday (11 July), reported The Indian Express.

During an executive committee meeting on Friday, executive member Hanuman Prasad proposed the ban, and the committee passed it unanimously.

Varanasi Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari explained, “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.”

Teams were dispatched on Saturday morning (12 July) to enforce the closure of around 350 meat shops, most of which reportedly lack municipal licences.

It is estimated that around 1-1.5 lakh people visit Varanasi daily. However, this number swells to nearly four to five lakh during Sawan, primarily due to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Tiwari said, 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.

Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Santosh Pal confirmed, 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.

Last year, the corporation banned meat shops within two kilometres of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, but faced challenges enforcing it. Shopkeepers had alleged harassment over abrupt closures without alternative arrangements.

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