Varanasi: For the first time, all meat, fish, and poultry shops within the municipal limits of Varanasi will remain closed throughout the Chaitra Navratri festival, starting Sunday. This decision was taken during a meeting of the Varanasi Municipal Corporation’s executive committee, led by Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari, on Thursday, according to a report published in The Times of India. According to reports, this closure comes as Eid—which may be celebrated on Monday, subject to the moon sighting— coincides with Navratri.
“They (Muslims) should consider that their Hindu brothers find Navratri the most sacred. So, at least for nine days, let it be. Is anyone stopping them for 360 days?” the Mayor told TOI.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Municipal Commissioner, Nagar Nigam Varanasi, Akshat Verma says, “As per the decision taken by the executive board, we have decided that the meat shops in the municipal area will remain closed during the Navratri, and we are working to implement that. At… pic.twitter.com/TTtF8BAHDK
— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2025
Municipal Commissioner, Nagar Nigam Varanasi, Akshat Verma, further explained the order in an interview to ANI. “As per the decision taken by the executive board, we have decided that the meat shops in the municipal area will remain closed during the Navratri, and we are working to implement that. At first, we will run a campaign to make people aware of this, and we have our vans that will roam around to see if someone is opening such shops and we will take action accordingly…,” he said.
The committee also enforced a ban on cigarette sales near religious sites and schools. It reportedly approved a licence fee for cigarette vendors.
Shiv Sena against Shawarma stalls in Mumbai
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena has opposed opening of Shawarma stalls on Mumbai streets during Navratri. “From tomorrow, the holy festival of Navratri will start…A large number of Hindu devotees will observe fast and worship the goddess. In such a situation, Shawarma stalls are open on the roads in Mumbai and non-veg is sold there, this is hurting Hindu sentiments. There are more than 250 such Shawarma stalls in Andheri East. Today, we are going to MIDC PS against this and requesting the police to shut down the shops selling non-veg on the streets at least during the days of Navratri…Someone selling non-veg in a closed restaurant, they can do it, but selling non-veg on the streets during Navratri days definitely hurts the sentiments of Hindus…” Shiv Sena leader, Sanjay Nirupam, told ANI.
