The Gujarat High Court has restored a ban on non-vegetarian food near the Somnath Temple, hours after a single judge struck it down. Justice Nisha M Thakore quashed the District Magistrate’s 10 August notification at about 3 pm on 30 October. The State appealed at once, and a division bench took up the appeal at about 5.30 pm. Acting Chief Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak and Justice Nirzar S Desai stayed her ruling until further orders. The ban on preparing, storing and selling non-vegetarian food on seven stretches, including within 500 metres of the temple, is back in force.
The petitioners were owners of hotels and restaurants in Prabhas Patan, in Gir Somnath district. They argued that a blanket ban broke their right to run a lawful business. The single judge agreed and held that authorities may regulate such food but may not ban it outright. Advocate General Kamal Trivedi told the bench that large crowds were expected for Deepavali and the Gujarati New Year. The appeal returns to court on 25 November, according to Bar and Bench.
Our view is that the State wins the festive season and food businesses near the temple lose their busiest weeks. The single judge’s reasoning, that a power to regulate a trade is not a power to stop it, gives the owners a strong point for the appeal. Coverage has missed the cost to these businesses, which must keep paying staff and rent with part of their menu shut. A past pattern points the other way: on 29 October the same court questioned a four-month meat shop closure in Radhanpur, and the municipality withdrew it. We predict the ban will stay in force at least until the 25 November hearing. We also predict the bench will narrow the ban rather than uphold it in full within six months. Confidence: low.
This is important for our readers because a local food ban can change your menu and revenue within hours. If you run a hotel or restaurant near a major temple, check this week whether any district notification covers your street. Brief your front desk so guests who ask about non-vegetarian meals near Somnath get accurate answers. If your business is affected, speak to a lawyer about the 25 November hearing rather than relying on press reports.
Sources:
Bar and Bench, 31 Oct 2026
Hindustan Times, 31 Oct 2026
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