‘Religious capital’: Varanasi to witness first-time closure of meat shops during Navratri

All stores selling meat, fish, and poultry inside Varanasi's municipal limits will be shuttered starting Sunday for the duration of the Chaitra Navratri celebration, which is a first for the city. At a meeting of the executive committee of the Varanasi Municipal Corporation, which was chaired by Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari, this decision was made.

The closure occurs because Navratri, which is expected to be celebrated on Monday, subject to the moon sighting, falls on the same day as Eid. The mayor has demanded strict adherence to the executive decision. After discovering that Eid fell during this time.  "We will strictly enforce the executive-approved plan to close meat stores during Navratri."

They (Muslims) ought to take into account that Navratri is the most revered holiday for their Hindu brothers. So, leave it alone for at least nine days. Are they being stopped for 360 days by anyone? He went on. Almost two lakh pilgrims visit Varanasi every day, making it a "religious and cultural capital," he added. "Traditions should not be viewed as forced; they should be followed," he continued.