Overview

• On July 17, members of the Hindu Raksha Dal forced the temporary closure of KFC and Nazeer Foods outlets in Ghaziabad to protest meat sales during Sawan
• Viral videos showed protesters carrying saffron flags and chanting religious slogans while demanding outlets near the Kanwar Yatra route serve only vegetarian food
• Ghaziabad Police imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and registered a suo motu FIR under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against unidentified individuals for defying public order
• The eateries reopened after police intervention and authorities confirmed there is no government order banning non-vegetarian sales in commercial areas off the official pilgrimage path
• Opposition leaders condemned the forced shutdown as an infringement on citizens’ rights and a failure of governance