Drop meat names from signboards, Itanagar civic body orders eateries

Itanagar: A recent municipal order directing eateries to drop references to specific meats from licences and signboards has triggered a backlash in Arunachal Pradesh, where a vast majority eats non-vegetarian food and many see the move as intrusive and politically driven.Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) has told hotels and restaurants to remove words such as pork, chicken, beef and mutton from trade licence nomenclature and public signage, citing public decency, animal welfare norms and prevailing sensitivities. Existing licences must be revised and new applications carrying such references will not be cleared, according to an order issued by joint commissioner Datum Gadi.Eateries have been given 10 days to comply by updating signboards and banners. Non-compliance will invite action under applicable laws and byelaws, IMC said.Residents and business owners pushed back, saying the directive targets certain foods and blurs consumer choice. “Such naming ensures non-beef eaters don’t accidentally walk into such places,” said Ranju Dodum, objecting to what he called food politics.

“In that case, authorities should also shut down KFC, and we will seek closure of ‘pure veg’ restaurants,” he added.IMC corporator Gora Lotak said he plans to seek a review at a business meeting scheduled for April 9, calling the decision “wrong”.IMC invoked powers under Arunachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 2019, to enforce the change, saying business names should be general and appropriate. Critics said the rule risks erasing customary identifiers in a state where meat-based cuisine is integral to daily life.