Varanasi Mayor Okays Proposal To Ban Sale Of Meat, And Liquor Within Two-Km Radius Of Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Varanasi, January 19 (TNA) Sale of meat and liquor has been banned in the two-km radius of the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. A proposal to this effect has been ratified by city Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari. Every day, not only domestic tourists but also foreign tourists come to Kashi Vishwanath Temple for darshan and worship.

This proposal was passed by the Municipal Corporation House on Thursday. Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari, who was presiding over the meeting of the House held in the Town Hall, later approved the proposal. Apart from this, the roads of Dalmandi will be widened and the rent of 145 Municipal Corporation shops here will be at the DM circle rate. These three proposals are sure to have an impact on the businessmen of Muslim-dominated areas of Dalmandi, Beniyabagh and Nai Sadak.

In the House meeting, this proposal was brought by Adivishveshwar Ward Councilor Indresh Kumar Singh under Section 91 (2) of the Municipal Corporation Act 1959. He said that there are no meat and liquor shops within a radius of two to five kilometers from the major temples of religious cities Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar etc.

Only in Kashi are there meat and liquor shops within two km radius of Vishwanath temple. Keeping religious sentiments in mind, he mooted, that they be shifted to a distance of two km. The proposal was passed unanimously.

Its impact will be from Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple to Lahurabir, Sonarpura, Laksa. This will especially affect the liquor shops in Muslim-dominated areas like Dalmandi, Beniyabagh, Nai Sadak, Hadha Sarai etc. At present, there are more than 50 meat shops in these areas. Apart from these, there are 30 liquor shops. Which will be closed in the coming days. Not only this, Indresh also brought a proposal for the widening of Dalmandi.