On the occasion of Janmashtami yesterday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath imposed a complete ban on the sale of meat and liquor in the holy city of Mathura.

While addressing a Krishnotsav 2021 programme in the city, he said: “Revered saints here and public representatives believe that meat and liquor consumption in these areas should be stopped and I believe this should happen too.”

“The officers concerned are directed to make plans for the ban as well as for the engagement of people involved in such activities in some other trade,” the chief minister added.

In the order that was passed last night, on August 30, CM Adityanath also advised the liquor and meat sellers to start milk trade. He said that trading in milk would help Mathura regain its ‘lost glory’ of being a high milk-producer.

The chief minister said he will ask the administration to ensure that people engaged in selling meat or liquor could be rehabilitated in an organised way. “They should be trained and counselled in an organised manner. If they open small stalls of milk, it will be reminiscent of the ‘Dwaparyug’,” said Adityanath.

‘Dwaparyug’ refers to the epoch when Hindu deity Lord Krishna lived and ruled in Mathura. The Dwapara yuga, in Hinduism, is mythologically the third epoch in a ‘Yuga Cycle’, which is preceded by ‘Treta’ yuga and followed by ‘Kali’ yuga. The first yuga is believed to be the Satya yuga.

Meanwhile, in a curtailed reference to the previous state governments, CM Adityanath also said that the places of worship which were neglected for a long time are being revived now.