The Uttar Pradesh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has declared November 25 as a “no non-veg day” in honor of Sadhu TL Vaswani’s birth anniversary. As part of this declaration, all slaughterhouses and meat shops in the state will remain closed on Saturday, as per the official notification issued by the government.
The notification, highlighting the significance of celebrating the birthdays of revered personalities known for advocating non-violence, mentioned, “The birth anniversaries of our country’s great men who propounded the Doctrine of Non-Violence are celebrated as ‘Non-Violence’ days.” This practice aligns with commemorations such as Mahavir Jayanti, Buddha Jayanti, Gandhi Jayanti, and now, Sadhu TL Vaswani Jayanti.
Specifically, on the occasion of Sadhu TL Vaswani’s birth anniversary on November 25, 2023, the directive mandates the closure of all slaughterhouses across Uttar Pradesh. The government has instructed authorities to ensure strict compliance with this order throughout the state.
Sadhu Thanwardas Lilaram Vaswani, born on November 25, 1879, was an eminent educationist who initiated the Mira Movement. Hailing from a Sindhi family in Hyderabad Sindh (now in Pakistan), Vaswani advocated fiercely for women’s education and empowerment. Renowned for his oratory skills and writings, he was a staunch supporter of the vegetarian lifestyle.
Sadhu Vaswani’s significant contributions and ideals led to the establishment of a museum dedicated to his life and teachings in Pune. Notably, his birthday on November 25 is also recognized globally as International Meatless Day, advocating for a vegetarian diet.
This recent announcement by the Uttar Pradesh government follows its recent measures against the illegal issuance of ‘Halal Certificates’. The government previously issued an order prohibiting the production, storage, distribution, and sale of food products bearing Halal certification within the state, excluding products manufactured for export.
The decision to observe ‘No Non-Veg Day’ on Sadhu TL Vaswani’s birth anniversary reflects the state’s commitment to honoring the ideals of non-violence and commemorating the legacies of revered figures advocating peace and compassion.
Sources By Agencies
