Bhutan bans sale of meat items at annual Tshechu and other religious events

The recently concluded Dzongkhag Tshogdu decided to go with only vegetarian items on the menu for such events, reports The Bhutan Live.

The local leaders said, "Serving meat items during religious events is not in line with religion."

Tsendagang Gup,Bal Bdr. Rana, who is also the chairperson of Dagana Dzongkhag Tshogdu moved the motion.

Local leaders also supported the move.

Some members said, serving meat items during the annual Tshechu and other routine rituals conducted in gewog lhakhangs have become an expensive affair for both the government and individual organisers.

“I served as a procurement officer during the Dagapela Tshechu a few months ago. I had spent around Nu 50,000 just to buy meat despite strict control. And I spent another Nu 25,000 on alcohol. Therefore, it would be nice if we could ban meat and alcohol during annual Tshechu and rituals because Tshechu is all about religion,” said Mani Kumar Ghishing, Gesarling Gup.

“Firstly, serving vegetables during the annual Tshechu and rituals would help low-income families to conduct any religious activities. Secondly, mask dances during the annual Tshechus teach devotees about what we should do to accumulate merit and what we should not do to avoid sins. But it is useless to witness Tshechu if we cannot avoid consuming meat during Tshechu,” said Chador, Kana Gup.