Emboldened by Ayodhya’s bold step, a key BJP MP urges banning meat and liquor shops nationwide near all temples. It’s a clarion call for protecting religious ethos in an era of unchecked urbanization.
The catalyst: Ayodhya’s order to evict 50+ outlets from 500-meter radii around holy sites, especially Ram Janmabhoomi. Compliance is underway, setting a template for emulation.
MP Radha Mohan Singh, voice of Gorakhpur, declared: ‘Every temple deserves this shield.’ He envisions legislation mandating relocations, rooted in cultural preservation.
Party stalwarts back it, aligning with voter sentiments. India’s temple ecosystem, vast and vibrant, stands to gain sanctified buffers against ‘tamasic’ trades.
Realities bite: traders face upheaval. The MP advocates phased shifts with incentives, ensuring no devotee compromise.
Broader canvas: echoes past successes like Varanasi’s Ganga drives. Politically charged, it counters narratives of minority appeasement.
Critics cry overreach, but temple-goers cheer. States may legislate swiftly, birthing a ‘temple purity code.’
Horizons expand—could extend to mosques, churches? For now, Hindu heartlands lead. This demand, amplified by Ayodhya’s halo, might redefine sacred-commercial divides forever.