UP CM suggests those engaged in trade should start selling milk
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday announced a complete ban on the sale of liquor and meat in Mathura.
According to news agency PTI, the chief minister directed the district authorities to make plans for imposing a ban on sale of liquor and meat. He told the official to look for alternative occupation for those engaged in the trade.
The chief minister, while speaking at Krishnotsav 2021 programme, suggested that those engaged in liquor and meat trade should take up selling milk and thereby “revive the glory of Mathura, which was known for producing a huge quantity of animal milk”.
“Every effort will be made to develop Brij Bhumi and there will be no dearth of funds for this. We are looking at a blend of modern technology and the cultural and spiritual heritage for the development of the region,” PTI quoted Adityanath as saying.
He also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a “new direction to the country” adding that the BJP government is reviving the places of faith neglected for long.
Reports said that Adityanath prayed to Hindu deity Krishna seeking elimination of coronavirus.
The decision to ban liquor and meat invited criticism from some quarters as people said that the Yogi government was infringing on the rights of people.
“Muslims are around 18% of Mathura’s population, and Dalits 20%. In other words, at least around 40% of the population there eats meat. There are also meat eaters among other caste groups. How can Yogi attack their right to eat the food of their choice?” asked senior journalist Sidharath Vardarajan.
Editor Samar Halrankar called it a “cruel move”.
But there were some who welcomed the decision. Former J&K Police chief Suresh Paul Vaid called it a “welcome step.”
Adityantah had already banned sale of meat and liquor in the pilgrimage sites of the Vrindavan and Barsana areas in Mathura in 2017 saying that they are holy sites — considered as birthplaces of Krishna and Radha — visited by hundreds of thousands of devotees and tourists.
