The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has issued an official order imposing a complete ban on the sale of meat and animal slaughter across the city on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. The directive, which mandates the closure of all slaughterhouses and meat shops, has triggered a wave of reactions online, leading to widespread social media trolling and debates.
The Reason Behind the Ban
The GBA's order clarifies that the ban is enforced in observance of Sadhu Vaswani Jayanti, which falls on November 25.
- Sadhu Vaswani Jayanti: This day is internationally observed as International Meatless Day and International Vegetarian Day to honor the birth anniversary of Sadhu T.L. Vaswani (born 1879), an acclaimed Indian educationist and spiritual leader who strongly advocated for non-violence and vegetarianism.
- Official Directive: The Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department under the GBA confirmed the temporary halt on all related commercial activities. The ban is a continuation of a practice observed on several significant religious and national occasions in the city, such as Gandhi Jayanti.
Social Media Backlash and Trolling
While the ban is rooted in the tradition of observing meat-free days on occasions honoring figures of non-violence, the announcement—often circulated through official channels like X (formerly Twitter)—quickly became a subject of controversy and trolling among certain sections of Bengaluru's population, known for its diverse culinary scene.
- Trolling: Many users expressed frustration, using satirical memes and critical comments to question the rationale behind the ban, particularly its impact on individual food choices and businesses in a metropolitan area.
- The Debate: The discussion often centered on the perceived conflict between religious or spiritual observance and personal freedom, with some users highlighting the inconvenience caused by the last-minute nature of the announcement for those who consume non-vegetarian food daily.
- Previous Bans: Trolling is a common reaction to these periodic bans, such as those implemented during Gandhi Jayanti or the recently banned meat sales near the Yelahanka Airforce Station during the Aero India show (to prevent bird strikes).
What is Saadu Vaasani now? Is this a joke? https://t.co/lgH72bzhuo
— ಸಜಿತ್ (@SajithGowda) November 23, 2025
What the Order Entails
The ban is strict and applies to all forms of meat and animal products.
- Closures: All slaughterhouses and retail meat shops within the Greater Bengaluru limits will be closed.
- Restaurants: While the GBA's primary order focuses on slaughter and sale, some reports suggest strict adherence is expected even in hotels and restaurants, instructing them to exclude non-vegetarian dishes from their menus for the day.
- Enforcement: Authorities have warned that any violation of the directive will invite penalties and strict action.
Residents are advised to plan their purchases in advance, as meat will be unavailable throughout the city on Tuesday, November 25.
