Patna: As the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections draw near, political debates around religious sentiments are intensifying. Jan Shakti Jan Dal (JJD) supremo and former Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav has joined the discourse, advocating for a ban on non-vegetarian food and alcohol sales at Hindu pilgrimage sites beyond Ayodhya.
Extending Ayodhya’s Rules to Vrindavan
Tej Pratap welcomed the existing restriction on meat sales within a 15 km radius of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and suggested that similar rules should be applied in Vrindavan and Mathura, where liquor shops and non-vegetarian food outlets currently operate openly.
He asked, “If Ayodhya enforces a 15 km non-veg ban, why should Vrindavan be excluded?” He emphasized the need to respect the sanctity of religious places uniformly, maintaining the spiritual atmosphere for devotees.
Support for Broader Religious Restrictions
Expanding his call, Tej Pratap said all major pilgrimage sites, including Kashi, Mathura, and Vrindavan, should prohibit the sale of meat and alcohol. According to him, such measures are necessary to preserve the spiritual dignity of these sacred locations, where pilgrims arrive with faith and devotion.
Response to Opposition Leaders
Addressing questions about opposition leaders who avoid visiting the Ram temple, Tej Pratap stated that faith is a personal matter. He said those with true devotion can worship freely, and that no political interference should dictate acts of faith or religious practices.
Through this statement, Tej Pratap not only reinforces his religious credentials but also seems to be introducing the ‘pilgrimage card’ into Uttar Pradesh’s political discourse ahead of the elections.
Source: Agency Reports
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