A city in Gujarat has become the first globally to ban non-vegetarian food, reflecting strong cultural and religious dietary influences.
Palitana, located in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district, has made headlines as the first city globally to impose a ban on non-vegetarian food. This significant ruling criminalizes the killing of animals for meat and the sale and consumption of meat, aligning with the city's identity as a major pilgrimage site for Jains.
Response to Jain Monks' Protest
After about 200 Jain monks protested and called for the closure of about 250 butcher businesses in the area, the ban was implemented. Their efforts reflect a broader cultural movement within Gujarat, where vegetarianism is deeply rooted in local customs.
Expanding Regulations in Gujarat
This ban follows similar regulations initiated in Rajkot, where the public preparation and display of non-vegetarian food were prohibited. Cities like Vadodara, Junagadh, and Ahmedabad have also enacted related measures, with critics arguing that the visibility of meat is distressing, particularly for children. Bhupendra Patel, the chief minister of Gujarat, even connected these rules to initiatives to lessen traffic jams.
The Influence of Mahatma Gandhi
The push for vegetarianism in Gujarat draws heavily from the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, a lifelong advocate for vegetarianism. Despite briefly experimenting with meat in his youth, Gandhi upheld a strict vegetarian diet throughout his life, influenced by his devout Vaishnavite upbringing. His commitment to vegetarianism is a cornerstone of the region's cultural norms.
Cultural and Religious Underpinnings
In Gujarat, where Hindus comprise 88.5% of the population and Jains make up about 1%, vegetarianism is deeply embedded in Vaishnav Hindu culture. This shift towards vegetarianism, particularly exemplified by Palitana's recent ban, underscores a complex relationship between tradition and evolving dietary practices. Gujarat's food scene is still being shaped by the heritage of leaders like Gandhi and the laws that are in place now while balancing these influences.
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.