# Karnataka withdraws gutka ban after MLAs protest over arecanut 2026-08-14T16:55:52+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Karnataka government has withdrawn its ban on gutka and tobacco-containing pan masala just two days after the order took effect, following protests from BJP, Congress and JD(S) legislators. Chief minister D.K. Shivakumar directed officials to withdraw the order after a meeting with MLAs who warned that the prohibition could hurt arecanut growers. The ban, issued on Monday under the Food Safety and Standards Act, covered manufacture, storage, transport, distribution and sale of such products. BJP MP B.Y. Raghavendra alleged that cigarette companies had lobbied for the ban and claimed areca prices fell within a day. Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said health must be ensured but growers' interests also needed protection. JD(S) MLA A. Manju warned of resistance in the Malnad region. Hindustan Times reports that Shivakumar was displeased the order was issued without his knowledge. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com Tags: arecanut, Basavaraj Bommai, D K Shivakumar, Food Safety and Standards Act, gutka, Karnataka government Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/karnataka-withdraws-gutka-ban-after-mlas-protest-over-arecanut/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/karnataka-withdraws-gutka-ban-after-mlas-protest-over-arecanut/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.