Members of the right-wing group Hindu Raksha Dal staged a protest outside a KFC outlet and a local eatery named Nazir in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad on Thursday, demanding a ban on the sale of non-vegetarian food during the holy month of Sawan. The demonstrations disrupted operations, forcing both establishments to temporarily shut down, as reported by Aaj Tak.

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Videos of the protest, which have gone viral on social media, show members of the group carrying saffron flags and chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and “Har Har Mahadev”. In one of the clips, protesters can be seen pulling down the shutters of the KFC outlet and posing in front of the closed shopfront while chanting religious slogans.

Protesters Demand Only Vegetarian Offerings

The protestors entered the restaurant premises, confronted the staff, and insisted that only vegetarian food should be served during the Sawan month. “All of these items (non-veg) should be banned in the month of Sawan,” one of the demonstrators is heard saying in a video that is now being widely shared.

While no physical violence was reported during the protest, the demonstrators made their demands clear, asserting that religious sentiments must be respected during this sacred period. The staff at the eateries appeared to comply with the protesters’ request at the time of the incident, but no official statement has been issued by the establishments or local law enforcement authorities as of yet.

Sawan: A Month of Religious Observance

Sawan, or Shravan, is one of the holiest months in the Hindu calendar, especially significant to followers of Lord Shiva. Devotees commonly observe fasts and avoid meat, alcohol, and sometimes even onions and garlic. The month is also marked by the Kanwar Yatra, where thousands of kanwariyas carry Ganga water to offer at Shiva temples.

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While local civic bodies in some cities impose temporary restrictions on meat sales during this time, there is currently no official state-wide ban in Uttar Pradesh. The incident has reignited debates over food freedom and religious observance in public spaces.