UP CM Yogi Adityanath backs demand by seers to ban meat, liquor in Mathura

UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday backed demands by saints and public representatives of Mathura to prohibit sale of meat and liquor in seven pilgrimage sites. Adityanath said he will ask the administration to prepare a plan to effect this and also make sure people engaged in selling meat or liquor could be "rehabilitated" in an "organised" way. Adityanath was speaking at a function organised in Mathura on the occasion of Janmashtami- birth of Lord Krishna. "In 2017, we made the Nagar Nigam here and then declared seven areas as pilgrimage sites. 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," said the CM, adding that those engaged in such works should be "rehabilitated" and not "uprooted". "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.