Varanasi Municipal Corporation orders closure of all meat shops during Navratri; Delhi MLA and Muslim clerics echo support, highlighting interfaith respect.
Varanasi, March 29:
In a move aimed at preserving religious sentiments and ensuring civic harmony during the sacred Hindu festival of Chaitra Navratri, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation has ordered the closure of all meat shops within city limits for the entire nine-day period. The directive, approved by the municipal executive board, will be implemented through public awareness campaigns and active monitoring.
Municipal Commissioner Akshat Verma confirmed the decision, stating,
“As per the executive board’s resolution, meat shops in the municipal area will remain closed during Navratri. We are actively working to enforce this decision.”
Verma added that surveillance vans will patrol the city, ensuring compliance. “We’ll begin with awareness drives and act strictly against any violations,” he noted.
Similar sentiments echoed from Delhi, where BJP MLA Ravi Kant from Trilokpuri has formally requested the District Magistrate of East Delhi to order a temporary meat shop closure during Navratri, which begins March 30. In his letter, the MLA cited the spiritual significance of the nine-day festival and the need to maintain cleanliness and public sensitivity.
“Navratri is a period of deep devotion for the Sanatan community. Meat sales during this time go against the spirit of reverence. We must preserve the sanctity of these sacred days,” Kant wrote.
In a remarkable show of interfaith solidarity, Muslim cleric Chaudhary Ifraheem Husain supported the move and appealed to the broader Muslim community to respect Hindu sentiments during the festival.
“This is a matter of mutual respect. Every religion has its own sentiments. Muslims will not object to this decision because living together means honouring each other’s beliefs,” he told ANI.
Navratri — which translates to “nine nights” — celebrates Goddess Durga and her nine avatars, known as Navdurga. It culminates on Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Ram, which this year falls on April 6.
Interestingly, Eid-ul-Fitr and Navratri may overlap in 2025, with Eid likely to fall on March 30 or 31, adding a unique layer of interfaith convergence and cooperation in India’s diverse cultural landscape.