Bengaluru: The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) issued a formal directive Thursday prohibiting animal slaughter and the sale of meat throughout the city this Sunday, February 15, to mark the festival of Maha Shivaratri.

The order, released by the GBA’s Animal Husbandry Department, mandates the total closure of all slaughterhouses and retail meat outlets, including chicken, mutton, and fish shops, within the authority’s jurisdiction for a 24-hour period.

The "No-Meat" Mandate

The GBA (formerly the BBMP) traditionally enforces such bans during major religious and national observances to honour cultural sentiments.

  • Scope: The restriction applies to all licensed stalls and markets within the Greater Bengaluru limits.
  • Enforcement: Civic officials confirmed that dedicated monitoring teams will be deployed across the city's zones. Violators have been warned of penalties and potential license suspensions under the GBA Act.
  • Rationale: Authorities characterised the move as a mark of respect for the millions of devotees who observe the day with rigorous fasting and temple vigils (Jagarana).

Administrative Precedent

The February 15 ban is the second major meat-free day of the year for the Karnataka capital, following a similar order on January 30 for Sarvodaya Day. Other designated "no-meat days" in the city's annual calendar include Gandhi Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, and Sri Rama Navami.

Local restaurants and bars are permitted to remain open, though many will voluntarily adjust menus to cater to the significant portion of the population observing the religious fast.

With inputs from ANI