The Gujarat High Court on Friday (October 30, 2026) set aside a state government order banning the sale of non-vegetarian food near the Somnath Temple in Prabhas Patan, Veraval. A Single Bench of Justice Nisha M. Thakore quashed a state government notification banning the sale and storage of non-vegetarian food within a 500-metre radius of the Somnath Temple and six other designated areas housing religious sites.
The decision came on a petition filed by owners of six non-vegetarian restaurants, who challenged the government order, claiming that it affected their livelihood. The petitioners are the owners of J M Restaurant, Khwaja Hindustan Restaurant, New Gulab, Kismat Restaurant, and Taj Restaurant.
After the High Court passed the order lifting the ban, the government counsel, G H Virk, requested a 7-day stay on the order for filing an appeal, which was declined. The government counsel then prayed for a 2-day stay, which was also declined by the High Court, stating that the livelihoods of the petitioners were at stake.
Defending the government order, Virk said that the order did not affect the entire town and was applicable to specified areas. He said that it was only applicable to non-vegetarian food outlets located on the designated roads that devotees use for the pilgrimage. He added that devotees coming to visit the temple should not encounter the sale of non-vegetarian food on their way to the temple.
On the other hand, Advocate Asrar Mansuri, representing the restaurant owners, argued that the restrictions violated their fundamental right to carry on a trade or profession under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution. While the government submitted that nothing had changed on the ground since the notification was issued on August 10, 2026, the petitioners alleged that their establishments were forced to shut down and that they were harassed.
A series of notifications has been passed by the state government starting from 2006, when an order was issued restricting the sale and storage of eggs, meat, and fish within 500 metres of Somnath Temple and along the road connecting the temple with the bus stand.
Later in 2018, the Veraval-Patan Joint Municipality sought to establish a vegetarian zone along specified main roads. It was challenged before the High Court and remains sub judice. Subsequently, in 2019, a notification extended the restrictions to additional roads.
This was followed by another notification in July 2026, which replaced the 2019 notification, maintaining that the earlier measures of 2006 and 2018 remained in force. This notification, finalised in August, identified several routes, including stretches connecting Bhalka Temple, Bhidiya Circle, Shankh Circle, Safari Circle, Geeta Mandir and Hamirji Circle, along with areas within the 500-metre radius. The challenge before the High Court was regarding this notification.
