The Uttar Pradesh government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's leadership has officially designated November 25 as a 'Meat-Free Day.' This decision stems from a tribute initiative to honor Sadhu TL Vaswani. In adherence to this announcement, all slaughterhouses and meat vendors across the state are mandated to remain closed on this specified date.
The announcement by the UP government comes as a gesture to commemorate Sadhu TL Vaswani's birth anniversary and uphold the values of non-violence endorsed by influential leaders. The directive explicitly declares a cessation of meat sales and slaughterhouse activities on November 25.
Who was Sadhu Thanwardas Lilaram Vaswani?
Sadhu Thanwardas Lilaram Vaswani, an acclaimed educator who initiated the Mira Movement, was born on November 25, 1879. Annually, the Sadhu Vaswani Mission observes International Meatless Day on Vaswani's birthday, advocating vegetarianism—a cause passionately championed by the late Vaswani. His demise occurred on January 16, 1966, at the age of 86.
This recent announcement follows the Uttar Pradesh government's recent ban on Halal-certified products, implemented promptly on November 18. The directive prohibits the production, storage, distribution, and sale of food items carrying Halal certification within the state.
As per the official statement, stringent legal measures will be enforced against individuals or entities engaged in any aspect of producing, storing, distributing, buying, or selling Halal-certified pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, or cosmetics within Uttar Pradesh. However, products manufactured for export purposes will not be subjected to these restrictions.
The press release highlighted concerns about various products, including dairy items, sugar, bakery products, peppermint oil, salty ready-to-eat beverages, and edible oils, being labeled with Halal certification. It was noted that this certification, functioning as a parallel system, leads to ambiguity regarding food quality, thereby contravening government regulations.
The government's stance emphasizes a commitment to maintaining clarity and conformity with food quality regulations while honoring influential figures like Sadhu TL Vaswani.
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