In a shocking incident, Uttar Pradesh police have asked local roadside vendors and restaurant owners in Greater Noida (Dadri) not to serve or prepare non-vegetarian dishes including eggs as Kanwariyas prefer only pure vegetarian food, on Wednesday.
The officials have justified its decision saying that the number of pilgrims returning from Haridwar to Greater Noida has been increased this year. “We have also removed vendors serving non-vegetarian food. They will be off the road till the religious season of kanwar yatra is on,” Ram Sen Singh, SHO, Dadri police station, told Times of India.
Not only that, police even went on inspection of roadside Dhabas in Greater Noida and asked Dhabas serving non-veg food to shut down for one week. So, essentially, any restaurants or Dhabas, offering eggs, chicken, fish and mutton have now been closed and one can only have vegetarian food on the streets of Greater Noida irrespective of their personal choice.
Commenting on this dictate, Romit Vincent Singh, Chief Editor at Televisory told Newsd, “The authorities should not make commoners suffer just because few individuals are practising their religion. Moreover, religion is a personal affair but in our part of the world, most feel proud to wear religion and cast on their sleeves. Maybe, in few years from now, they will ask people to stop exhaling breath as Kawariyas prefer only fresh air.”
“Being a Hindu, I really appreciate the efforts of UP police of giving importance to Kanwariyas. But to put a ban on non-veg for the entire week, does not make any sense. We should equally respect and also should understand the sentiments of other people who would like to eat non-veg during this time. India has always been a diverse country and all the religions and sentiments are equally respected and we should try to keep it that way only,” said Abhishek Singh, Zonal Manager at Maruti Suzuki.
“Yes, it’s absolutely not required. There are far more serious issues to be concerned about than just this religious madness,” Tanushree Dutta, Duty Manager at Leela Ambience Hotel, Gurgaon.
