Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India: The Ayodhya district administration on Friday imposed a prohibition on the delivery of non-vegetarian food within a 15-kilometre radius of the Ram Temple.

Officials stated that this decision was taken after repeated complaints were received regarding online food delivery services supplying non-vegetarian items in areas falling under the sacred Panchkosi Parikrama zone.

Authorities also revealed that certain hotels and homestays in Ayodhya were reportedly serving non-vegetarian dishes and alcoholic beverages to visitors. They added that such establishments have now been issued firm warnings to stop these practices immediately.

Earlier, in May 2025, the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation had announced a ban on the sale of liquor and meat along the 14-kilometre Ram Path, the road linking Ayodhya with Faizabad. However, local residents claimed that the restriction on alcohol sales has largely remained unenforced over the past nine months, with more than two dozen liquor outlets still operating along the route.

Responding to these concerns, a municipal official clarified that the civic body had already removed meat shops from the Ram Path, including those located in Faizabad. However, action against liquor shops requires authorization from the district administration, the official explained.

Assistant Food Commissioner Manik Chandra Singh said authorities had received complaints that non-vegetarian food was still being delivered to tourists through online platforms despite existing restrictions.

“Based on these complaints, a complete ban on online delivery of non-vegetarian food has now been enforced. All hotels, shop owners, and delivery service providers have been informed, and strict monitoring will be carried out on a regular basis to ensure full compliance,” he said.