Indian Town Will Be Vegetarian For 17 Days

For the first time in history, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has banned meat-eating from the town during the Krisha River Festival, which begins Friday and lasts until August 23. The ban extends past the festival, totaling 17 days of legally imposed vegetarianism, and applies to all food vendors—including restaurants—with the town’s slaughterhouse being shuttered during that time, as well. The VMC instituted the ban in the “interest of public health” and promised prosecution of miscreants. While vegetarians rejoiced, local carnivores decried the decree, especially those whose livelihoods depend on selling meat. They argued that their businesses will suffer, that the government has no right to be “food police,” and that the ban will increase demand for unsanitary black market meat.