Bhubaneswar: Indian authorities on January 9, 2026, enforced a comprehensive ban on the sale and delivery of non-vegetarian food and liquor within a 15-kilometre radius of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, citing concerns over religious sentiments and public order. The directive explicitly applies to online food delivery platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy, in addition to physical outlets operating in the restricted zone.
Officials said the decision followed complaints from devotees and local religious bodies regarding the availability of non-vegetarian food and alcohol in the temple’s vicinity, particularly through online deliveries that bypassed local restrictions. The enforcement agencies have been instructed to ensure strict compliance, including monitoring of app-based deliveries and penal action against violators.
According to sources in the administration, Ayodhya will serve as the pilot zone for the policy, with similar restrictions likely to be extended to other major religious centres across the country in the coming months. Authorities maintain that the move is aimed at preserving the sanctity of religious spaces and preventing potential law-and-order issues, especially during periods of high footfall by pilgrims.
The ban, however, has sparked a wider public debate. Supporters argue that such measures are necessary to respect the religious and cultural sensitivities associated with sacred sites. Critics, on the other hand, have raised concerns over personal freedom, business impact on local vendors, and the precedent it may set for regulations in mixed-use urban areas.
Food delivery platforms have not yet issued detailed public statements, but industry observers say the companies may need to redesign geo-fencing mechanisms and update compliance protocols to adhere to location-specific restrictions.
As the policy takes effect, authorities have reiterated that enforcement will be gradual but firm, stressing that the focus is on compliance rather than confrontation. With the possibility of similar bans being rolled out in other regions, the Ayodhya decision is being closely watched as a test case for balancing religious sensitivities, commercial activity, and individual choice in public policy.
-OdishaAge
