The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has announced that all meat shops and slaughterhouses across Hyderabad will remain closed on Sunday in observance of Mahavir Jayanti. This directive, issued by the GHMC commissioner, instructs all district officers to ensure compliance with the order. Similarly, the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) in Maharashtra has also implemented a ban on the slaughter and sale of meat on Sunday, excluding fish. This prohibition covers mutton, chicken, beef, and pork, according to a report by The Times of India.
The bans align with a directive issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India, which instructed all state governments and union territories to ensure that slaughterhouses close operations for one day in observance of Mahavir Jayanti. The directive follows a 2008 Supreme Court order that stated the “closure of a trade or business for a limited period is not an unreasonable restriction” and does not violate the Constitution’s article 19(1)(g).
Mahavir Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, the founder of Jainism, celebrated by the Jain community to promote peace, harmony, and the teachings of the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. The festival falls on the 13th day of the Chaitra month in the Jain calendar, with this year’s observance on April 21.
Celebrations for Mahavir Jayanti include processions with Mahavir’s idol on a chariot, religious songs, charity, prayers, and meditation. The Jain community typically celebrates by eating satvik food—home-cooked vegetarian meals without onions or garlic. The closure of meat shops and slaughterhouses reflects the spirit of the festival, emphasizing non-violence and respect for all living beings.
The directive from GHMC and VVMC underscores the broader movement towards respecting religious observances and acknowledging the Jain tradition of non-violence. This effort contributes to the peaceful and harmonious observance of Mahavir Jayanti in India.
