Ghaziabad, UP – Members of the Hindu Raksha Dal staged a protest on Thursday outside several non-vegetarian eateries, including KFC and Nazir, in the Vasundhara area of Ghaziabad. The protest was sparked by the continued sale of meat during the sacred Hindu month of Sawan, which holds deep spiritual significance for Shiva devotees, reported the Financial Express.
Carrying saffron flags and chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” the demonstrators voiced strong objections to meat preparation along the Kanwar Yatra routes. Viral videos from the scene showed protestors disrupting business operations and reportedly forcing the KFC outlet to shut its shutters.
“The sight and smell of meat in these areas offend the religious sentiments of Kanwariyas who fast, worship, and follow strict vegetarianism during this holy month,” said one protestor. The group also submitted a memorandum to the local administration, demanding a ban on the sale of meat within a 100–200 meter radius of the Kanwar pilgrimage routes for the entire duration of Sawan.
They warned that if the authorities failed to act, the protests would intensify. “Maintaining the sanctity of religious routes during Sawan is not just a religious duty but a civic responsibility,” a spokesperson said.
As of now, neither local authorities nor the management of the restaurants involved have issued any public response. Tensions remain high in the area as the Kanwar Yatra continues, drawing massive crowds.
