Hindu Raksha Dal Protests Against Meat Sales During Sawan

On Friday, members of the Hindu Raksha Dal took action against two popular eateries, KFC and Nazeer Foods, in Ghaziabad. The group forcefully closed these outlets due to the sale of meat during the sacred period of Sawan. Despite the presence of police, who did not intervene, the protestors managed to shut down the restaurants. This incident occurred in the Vasundhara area, where there is no official ban on non-vegetarian food sales during Sawan and the Kanwar Yatra.

Protestors Demand Respect for Hindu Sentiments

Videos from the scene show protestors chanting slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Jai Shri Ram” while confronting restaurant staff. One protestor was heard asserting that “this is Hindustan and whatever the Hindus want will happen here.” The staff at KFC appeared distressed, making phone calls amidst the protest.

Verbal Permission Claimed by Protestors

A member of the Hindu Raksha Dal stated that their protest was justified as it took place in a predominantly Hindu area where Kanwar Yatras are common. He claimed that although they lacked written permission, they had obtained verbal consent from local authorities due to their active presence in the area.

Threats of Future Protests

Another member warned that if KFC and Nazeer Foods reopened, similar protests would be staged to shut them down again. The Kanwar Yatra, which began on June 10, involves thousands of devotees traveling from Haridwar to local Shiva temples with holy water from the Ganga.

Government Criticism Over Licensing Requirements

The Uttar Pradesh government recently faced criticism for mandating that all shops along the Kanwar Yatra route have proper licenses and display the owner’s original name. This move has sparked debate over religious sentiments and business operations during religious festivals.