Daijiworld Media Network – Ghaziabad

Ghaziabad, Jul 18: Members of the ‘Hindu Raksha Dal’ staged a protest outside a KFC outlet and a local eatery in Ghaziabad on Thursday, demanding a ban on non-vegetarian food during the holy Hindu month of Sawan.

The protest led to the temporary shutdown of both establishments, with videos of the incident going viral on social media. Saffron flag-bearing members of the right-wing outfit were seen chanting “Jai Shri Ram” and “Har Har Mahadev” as they pulled down shutters and confronted restaurant staff.

One video shows the group forcibly closing the KFC outlet while shouting slogans, while another shows them entering the premises, urging staff to stop serving meat. “All of these items should be banned in the month of Sawan,” a protester can be heard saying.

The protestors did not resort to physical violence but insisted that only vegetarian food be served during the holy month, citing religious sentiments associated with Lord Shiva.

Sawan, or Shravan, is revered by devotees who often fast and abstain from consuming meat, alcohol, onion, and garlic. The Kanwar Yatra, which takes place during this period, sees a large number of devotees travel on foot to offer Ganga water at Shiva temples.

While certain localities impose meat restrictions during this month, no official state-wide ban exists.