Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Friday declared 500-metre areas surrounding the Somnath temple in Saurashtra and Ambaji temple in Banaskantha district as “vegetarian zones”. “From now on, there will be a total ban on selling non-vegetarian food in these areas,” Rupani told a gathering in Palanpur city of the state, PTI reported.
Local Hindutva organisations in Veraval municipality, where the Somnath temple is located, have been demanding a ban on the sale of non-vegetarian food near the shrine for many years, The Indian Express reported. The municipality had passed a resolution in April 2018, asking the state government to declare at least a three km area around the temple a “vegetarian zone”. The municipality added that the local police support their demand.
In 2006, the collector of Junagadh district, in which the Somnath temple was then located, had issued a notification banning sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food within a 500 metre radius of the shrine.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!