Gujarat High Court stays order against Somnath non-vegetarian food ban
A division bench has allowed the Gir Somnath district collector's restrictions on non-vegetarian food sales near the temple to remain in force.
The Gujarat High Court on Friday, October 30, stayed an order from a single judge that had previously invalidated restrictions on selling non-vegetarian food near the Somnath temple. According to Mint, a division bench consisting of Chief Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak and Justice Nirzar Desai passed the order following an urgent appeal by the Gujarat government.
The bench directed that the notification issued by the Gir Somnath district collector remains active for the time being. This notification, dated August 10, 2026, bans the sale, storage, and preparation of non-vegetarian food within a 500-metre radius of the Somnath temple and along six specific roads in the pilgrimage circuit.
Earlier on Friday, Justice Nisha Thakore had ruled in favour of hotel and restaurant owners, setting aside the collector's notification. The business owners argued that the ban violated their fundamental right to conduct lawful business and earn a livelihood.
The state government opposed these petitions, arguing that the freedom to conduct business does not permit all commercial activities at every location, especially those with religious, historical, or cultural significance. The government stated that Somnath holds extraordinary spiritual importance for millions of Hindus.
The division bench will hear the matter again on December 26.