Haridwar Proposes Total Meat and Egg Ban Ahead of 2027 Ardh Kumbh

In a significant move toward the 2027 Ardh Kumbh Mela, the Haridwar Municipal
Corporation is set to table a proposal that could see the sale of all meat and eggs banned
across the entire municipal area. The resolution, scheduled for discussion on April 6, 2026, aims
to expand current restrictions and relocate all non-vegetarian trade to the city’s outskirts.
Expanding the “Sacred Zone”
Currently, the sale of meat, liquor, and eggs is prohibited within a 5-km radius of the Har Ki Pauri
ghat. However, Mayor Kiran Jaisal confirmed that the new proposal seeks to extend this ban to
the entire civic limit. The primary objectives cited by officials are:
Sanitation: Reducing waste and unhygienic conditions caused by raw meat shops.
Public Safety: Addressing the “stray dog menace,” which officials link to the presence of meat
waste.
Spiritual Integrity: Maintaining the “Amrit Kshetra” (pure zone) status for the millions of devotees
expected to arrive starting January 14, 2027.
Relocation and Impact
If passed, all raw meat shops will be moved to Sarai village on the city’s outskirts. The proposal
also includes a debate on whether hotels and restaurants should be prohibited from serving
cooked meat.
The move has met with a mix of support and concern. Religious leaders like Mahant Ravindra
Puri have welcomed the decision to protect the city’s spiritual sanctity. Conversely, local
councillors and residents have raised constitutional objections under Article 21, citing the
potential loss of livelihoods for approximately 10,000 people and the impact on the dietary
habits of over one lakh residents, particularly in the Jwalapur area.
Municipal Commissioner Nandan Kumar noted that even if the board passes the resolution, it
must undergo a “constitutionality test” and a public hearing for objections before being officially
gazetted.