Palitana, a city in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district, has created history by becoming the world’s first city to outlaw the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food. It’s now illegal to eat non-veg food here. This decision is a major cultural and religious change in the area, showing the profound impact of Jainism and its values.
The prohibition in Palitana extends to the sale and consumption of meat, as well as the slaughter of animals for meat, rendering these activities illegal and subject to legal consequences. This decision came after ongoing protests led by about 200 Jain monks, who advocated for the closure of roughly 250 butcher shops in the city. These demonstrations underscored the religious and ethical principles upheld by the Jain community, which places non-violence (ahimsa) at the core of their beliefs. Jains believe that no living being – be it humans, insects, birds or animals should be hurt, let alone killed or eaten.
Palitana is not just any city; it holds the esteemed title of “Jain Temple Town” as one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Jains. Situated amidst the Shatrunjaya Hills, the city boasts more than 800 temples, with the Adinath Temple being the most revered among them. Annually, thousands of devotees and tourists flock to these temples, highlighting Palitana’s profound spiritual importance.
Following Palitana’s lead, other cities in Gujarat, like Rajkot, Vadodara, Junagadh, and Ahmedabad, have put similar rules into effect. In Rajkot, officials have banned the cooking and public display of non-vegetarian food. These steps were taken to respect the feelings of the people and to avoid any problems that could come from seeing meat in public places.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel backed the rules, explaining they also seek to ease traffic jams caused by the concentration of meat shops in crowded areas. This two-pronged approach—respecting cultural sensitivities and managing urban infrastructure—underscores the diverse factors influencing the ban.
The Vaishnav Hindu culture of Gujarat influenced vegetarianism in the state. 88.5 per cent of the total population of the state is Hindu, Jain stands at 1 per cent, and Muslims and Christians form a total of 10 per cent. Vaishnavism is the predominant religious culture in the state.
The move to prohibit non-vegetarian food in Palitana and other cities across Gujarat signifies a significant moment in history. As Palitana sets an example, global observers are keen to see how this courageous step will affect the city’s social and cultural dynamics, and whether similar actions will be adopted elsewhere.
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