When ordering using the app, people from the corresponding states began to protest on X about the lack of non-vegetarian meal options.
Then, Zomato posted the following statement on its Zomato Care X handle: “Hey, as per government notification, we have blocked delivery of non-vegetable goods in Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. I hope this explanation is useful.
Conversely, Swiggy, Zomato’s rival, has already notified eateries on its platform that, in honor of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ celebration on January 22, the Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a countrywide ban on the sale of meat, fish, and alcoholic beverages.
“In accordance with this mandate, Swiggy will be switching off all non-veg items on your menu on January 22,” the notice said. “These items will be switched on again on January 23.”
This action is in line with the resolution made by a number of states, such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam, to ban the sale of meat and fish on January 22.
Varun Khera, chairman of the National Restaurant Association of India’s Uttar Pradesh chapter, stated, “We sought clarifications and have been advised by the food commissioner to avoid the sale and service of non-vegetarian food as the sale of meat in butchery shops is already prohibited for Monday.”
Similarly, in anticipation of the Ram Temple ceremony in Ayodhya on Monday, Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, ordered that meat outlets will close at 4 PM. He requested that all eateries in the state refrain from offering non-vegetarian fare till 2:00 PM.
Some governments have outlawed not just meat but also alcohol, despite social media users’ claims that the government is limiting citizens’ freedom to choose what to eat because of majoritarian beliefs.