Targeting food: Gujarat civic bodies’ unjustifiable action on vendors selling non-veg fare must be rolled back

News: Gujarat civic bodies recently targeted street vendors selling non-vegetarian food on unreasonable grounds. In another incidence, Haryana’s local actions enforced a ban on meat shops during festivals despite no state-level directions on the issue.

What is the issue? 

Ahmedabad civic body’s town planning committee announced a drive against non-vegetarian street food vendors on the complaints of some residents. The committee said that they are targetting the food carts that are on arterial roads, near to schools or religious places.

However, clarification of Gujarat CM clarified that the state is not restricting the food choice of any individual. But, still, vendors are forced to move towards less visible parts of the city raises many questions on the CM’s assurance.

Why the move is troubling?

To Food Vendors: Food vendors belong to the self-employed workforce, which already is facing the brunt of the pandemic. Pushing them to the smaller areas will have a drastic impact on their livelihood.

To Society: It will generate intolerance and have the potential to impact harmonious co-existence.

Source: This post is based on the article ” Targeting food: Gujarat civic bodies’ unjustifiable action on vendors selling non-veg fare must be rolled back” published in Times of India on 18th November 2021.