In a recent development, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken the decision days after his visit to Mathura for Janmashtami celebrations and announced a ban on the sale of liquor and meat within 10sq km radius of Mathura and Vrindavan.
CM Yogi suggests people involved in trade of meat and liquor to sell milk
The region with 22 municipal wards, has been declared a pilgrimage site. The CM Office tweeted about this saying, “UP CM Shri Yogi Adityanath today declared a total of 22 municipal wards falling in 10 sqkm of the area, keeping Shri Krishna’s birth place in the centre of Mathura-Vrindavan, as a pilgrimage site”.
He also told the officers to make plans for the employment of people who were earlier engaged with such business. CM Yogi Adityanath had announced this decision while speaking at the Krishnotsav 2021 in Mathura. He also had said that those who are involved in selling alcohol and meat, should start selling milk in order to revive the glory of Mathura, which was known for producing enormous amounts of milk from animals.
Decision made after observing saints and political leaders opinions
“The officers concerned are directed to make plans for the ban as well as for the engagement of people involved in such activities in some other trade,” the CM had said. He also said that the decision was taken after Braj region saints and political leaders had urged him to ban and stop the sale. According to the Department of Charitable Affairs, 7 areas of Mathura have recently been declared as pilgrimage areas.
Earlier Yogi Adityanath had issued such a notice in 2017 too, he had banned the sale of liquor and meat in the Vrindavan and Barsana areas.
In 2017, he had said, “Vrindavan area in Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and his elder brother Balram and is a world-famous site. Barsana is Radha’s birthplace. Lakhs of tourists visit these places to pay obeisance. Keeping in mind their importance and in view of tourism, these are declared as holy pilgrimage places.”
According to National Restaurants Association of India member Ankit Bansal cited by the Times of India, there are reportedly 45 registered meat sellers in the city, and 50 of the 300 hotels and restaurants in Mathura serve non-vegetarian food.
