The Crossbill Team
In yet another dictate by the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government citing religious sensitivity, the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation has passed a resolution mandating the closure of at least nine meat shops and 13 liquor outlets located along Ram Path, a 13-kilometre road leading to the Ram temple.
The resolution, adopted unanimously by the municipal executive committee on Thursday, has triggered concerns among local traders and shopkeepers, who are demanding that alternate arrangements be made before enforcement begins.
Ram Path, which stretches from Sadatganj to Lata Mangeshkar Chowk and connects key religious routes such as Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Path and Bhakti Path, underwent redevelopment ahead of the January consecration of the Ram temple.
The municipal corporation has argued that the sale of liquor and meat along this road contradicts its religious character and sanctity.
"Ram Path carries the name of Lord Ram and must be treated with respect. Selling liquor and meat along this sacred stretch is inappropriate," Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi told the media, claiming that the resolution has received unanimous support.
He also announced a ban on advertisements for tobacco products, gutka, and innerwear in Ayodhya Dham, the area surrounding the temple, asserting that such promotions do not align with the city's spiritual ethos.
While the resolution on banning liquor sales has been forwarded to the District Magistrate for implementation, a separate communication will be sent to the concerned department regarding meat shops.
District Excise Officer Suresh Chandra Mishra confirmed awareness of the resolution but noted that official communication is awaited before any action can be taken.
"Once received, it will be sent to the state government for final approval," he said.
The decision has drawn concern from Ayodhya Vyapar Mandal, the city’s main traders’ body, which urged authorities to identify alternative locations for the affected businesses.
“Before the resolution is implemented, shop owners should be provided with viable relocation options. A designated area should be earmarked for meat shops, while liquor shop owners should receive relocation instructions from the state government,” Vyapar Mandal president Sushil Jaiswal said.
For many affected shopkeepers, the future remains uncertain. The development in Ayodhya follows a similar move last year by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation, which banned meat sales within a two-kilometre radius of the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
With religious sentiments influencing civic policy decisions, the Ayodhya resolution underscores a growing trend of aligning urban governance with majoritarian religious identity.
The resolution, adopted unanimously by the municipal executive committee on Thursday, has triggered concerns among local traders and shopkeepers, who are demanding that alternate arrangements be made before enforcement begins.
Ram Path, which stretches from Sadatganj to Lata Mangeshkar Chowk and connects key religious routes such as Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Path and Bhakti Path, underwent redevelopment ahead of the January consecration of the Ram temple.
The municipal corporation has argued that the sale of liquor and meat along this road contradicts its religious character and sanctity.
"Ram Path carries the name of Lord Ram and must be treated with respect. Selling liquor and meat along this sacred stretch is inappropriate," Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi told the media, claiming that the resolution has received unanimous support.
He also announced a ban on advertisements for tobacco products, gutka, and innerwear in Ayodhya Dham, the area surrounding the temple, asserting that such promotions do not align with the city's spiritual ethos.
While the resolution on banning liquor sales has been forwarded to the District Magistrate for implementation, a separate communication will be sent to the concerned department regarding meat shops.
District Excise Officer Suresh Chandra Mishra confirmed awareness of the resolution but noted that official communication is awaited before any action can be taken.
"Once received, it will be sent to the state government for final approval," he said.
The decision has drawn concern from Ayodhya Vyapar Mandal, the city’s main traders’ body, which urged authorities to identify alternative locations for the affected businesses.
“Before the resolution is implemented, shop owners should be provided with viable relocation options. A designated area should be earmarked for meat shops, while liquor shop owners should receive relocation instructions from the state government,” Vyapar Mandal president Sushil Jaiswal said.
For many affected shopkeepers, the future remains uncertain. The development in Ayodhya follows a similar move last year by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation, which banned meat sales within a two-kilometre radius of the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
With religious sentiments influencing civic policy decisions, the Ayodhya resolution underscores a growing trend of aligning urban governance with majoritarian religious identity.
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