Madhya Pradesh To Enforce Liquor, Meat Ban Near Religious Sites? Here’s What CM Mohan Yadav Said

The Chief Minister said the move follows suggestions from several seers and religious leaders advocating for the ban, which the government has taken seriously.

File photo of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

Source : PTI

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced on Monday that the state government is planning to prohibit the sale and consumption of meat and liquor near religious sites.

He revealed that the government is coming up with an amendment to the liquor policy for the current financial year and making a provision for in order to ban the sale of liquor and meat around all sacred places. "The process for budget preparation for the current financial year is also almost in the last phase. We will ensure that a provision is made on the consumption of liquor in the religious sites in the state," news agency IANS quoted CM Yadav as saying.

The Chief Minister added that the move follows suggestions from several seers and religious leaders advocating for the ban, which the government has taken seriously. He also confirmed plans to relocate liquor shops near sacred places.

Initiative To Begin In Ujjain

The initiative is expected to start in Ujjain, a holy city, in preparation for the Simhastha Kumbh 2028. "We are determined to make the religious cities free of liquor and meat and a decision in this regard will be announced soon. The excise department has been preparing a draft report for the same," CM Yadav added.

The proposal initially was announced in August 2024 and later approved by the state cabinet in September last year to ban the consumption of liquor and meat. The initiative is likely to ban across 21 districts, 68 tehsils, 1138 villages, and 1126 ghats as well as 430 ancient Shiva temples and two 'shakti peeths' along the banks of the Kshipra River.

However, specific locations and the number of affected sites will be confirmed after the excise department will finalises its report. Further CM Yadav emphasised that making cities free from liquor and meat is a complex process and will be implemented in phases.