The grand anointment of Bahubali — Mahamastakabhisheka, a mega event conducted once in 12 years — has left the owners and workers of non-vegetarian eateries in Shravanabelagola Gram Panchayat in a difficult situation. Citing the mega event of honouring Bahubali, who preached non-violence, the panchayat has ordered closure of all non-vegetarian eateries during the month of February. This has prompted several non-vegetarian eateries to put up boards saying ‘Vegetarian Meals’ in order to mislead officials.

“Closing the [eatery] for a month is nothing but a loss of several lakhs of rupees. We have eight employees and they have no job this month,” said Manu, owner of Byraveshwara Military Hotel in Shravanabelagola. For decades, his family has been running the hotel, which serves chicken and mutton items. “This is the time when every businessman in Shravanabelagola wants to earn well. Lakhs of people are expected to visit the place. Thousands of police officers are on duty. Mediapersons from different places come here to report the events. If not now, when should we expect good business?”

He added that he would have no problem in closing the eatery for a week when the grand anointment is held. “We voluntarily close our hotels during those 7-8 days. But closing the eatery for one month is difficult,” Mr. Manu said.

At another eatery, the owner said he was told by the gram panchayat to either shut shop temporarily or serve only vegetarian food items. “If I get such a notice, I will obey it. What else I can do?” he asked.

The Shravanabelagola GP has defended its move, saying that in the past whenever Mahamastakabhisheka was held, non-vegetarian eateries were asked to close down.

C.M. Naveen, Panchayat Development Officer, told The Hindu: “We have been doing the rounds in the panchayat limits to ensure that all non-vegetarian eateries are closed. This is done whenever the mega event is held. Moreover, we had given trade licence to these hotels with the deadline of December 2017, in view of the mega event.”

To a question, he said there was no request from Jain Mutt, which conducts Mahamastakabhisheka, to close the eateries.