The Vadodara Municipal Corporation has ordered the removal of all meat-based foods from public display being sold on roadside stalls and restaurants. “it is a matter of religious sentiments”, the official order read.
Hitendra Patel, the chairperson of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation’s Standing Committee, on Thursday verbally ordered the civic body’s executive wing to remove meat-based foods from “public display” in this Gujrat city. The order must be implemented within 15 days, The Indian Express reported.
The chairperson was quoted by Indian express as saying, “It may have been the practice for years to sell non-vegetarian food on full display, but the time has come to correct it,” Patel said. “The non-vegetarian food should not be seen.”
Meanwhile the move is expected to heavily impact businesses in Vadodra. The owner of a Vadodara-based restaurant known for its meat dishes said that in the backdrop of major losses to businesses since the Covid-19 outbreak, one would expect “logic and compassion” from elected representatives.
“Our vegetarian patrons have not objected to our non-vegetarian kitchen in decades,” the restaurant owner said. “Why are political leaders getting offended on behalf of the people? Will they now ask all restaurants to turn vegetarian?”
Earlier the Rajkot Municipal Corporation verbally directed officials to remove vendors selling meat and egg dishes from the main roads. However, there was no official order issued to this effect.
. “A majority of people feel disgusted while passing by these carts because of its smell and many also hang chicken outside,” Rajkot Mayor Pradeep Dav said.