Meat sale to be banned on Ram Path and Parikrama Margs in Ayodhya, says Mayor Tripathi

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Ayodhya authorities have initiated action to prohibit the sale of meat along prominent religious routes such as Ram Path and Dharma 14 Kosi Marg.

Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 29 (HBTV): Ayodhya authorities have initiated action to prohibit the sale of meat along prominent religious routes such as Ram Path and Dharma 14 Kosi Marg, following public complaints raised at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's Janata Darbar. Notices have been issued to shopkeepers, and plans are also underway to ban liquor sales in these areas, according to Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi.

Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Mayor Tripathi said that the proposal to restrict meat sales had been under discussion for a long time. ‘It was under discussion for a very long time that the sale of meat be banned in Ayodhya. It was decided that the sale of meat must be prohibited on Ram Path,’ he stated.

Tripathi further added that steps would soon be taken to enforce a liquor ban in the same religiously significant areas. ‘We are sure that we will soon ban liquor sale too...,’ he added.

Food and Fertiliser Commissioner Manik Chand informed that the issue came to light during the Janata Darbar, when a complaint was lodged regarding the presence of meat shops across Ram Path, Bhakti Path, Dharma Path, and 14 Kosi Marg. A team was formed to inspect the locations.

‘A complaint was received during CM Yogi Adityanath's Janata Darbar that meat shops are running on Ram Path, Dharma 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg and Panchkosi Marg. We formed a team and inspected all the shops,’ Commissioner Chand said.

He added that 22 meat shops were found operating across these routes and that notices have been issued to them. ‘All the meat shops are being issued notices, and they have been given a 7-day time limit to relocate their shops somewhere else. Action will be taken if they fail to do so... There are 22 meat shops on Ram Path, Bhakti Path and Dharma Path and 14 Kosi Marg... If there are any other shops, they will also face a similar procedure,’ he added.

In March, the Uttar Pradesh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, had issued strict orders to shut down illegal slaughterhouses and enforce a ban on meat sales within a 500-metre radius of religious sites.

A complete ban on animal slaughter and meat sales is scheduled to be enforced on April 6, 2025, during Ram Navami. Under the UP Municipal Corporation Act, 1959, and the Food Safety Acts of 2006 and 2011, officials have been directed to take stringent action against violators.

(ANI)