A significant majority of Indians are not in favor of food and drink restrictions imposed by housing societies, according to the inaugural India Today Gross Domestic Behaviour (GDB) Survey. The survey, conducted across the country, reveals that 54% of respondents disagree with residents’ associations dictating food and beverage choices within apartments and common areas.
While there is support for such bans in certain areas, the national trend points toward opposition. Only 41% of Indians support these restrictions, with Uttarakhand standing out where 75% of people back the bans. Interestingly, Kerala leads the opposition, with a remarkable 84% of residents rejecting food-type restrictions.
In some parts of India, like Palitana in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district, these bans are strictly enforced. Palitana became the first city to completely prohibit non-vegetarian food, following protests by Jain monks in 2014, resulting in a government-enforced ban on the sale of meat, eggs, and animal slaughtering.
This survey, India’s first-ever civic survey, delves into societal behaviors, public safety, gender equality, diversity, and discrimination. It shows an evolving dynamic in India’s social landscape, with notable findings in various regions. For instance, Kerala continues to lead in gender equality and public safety, while states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab lag behind in social welfare indicators.
Despite some pockets supporting the bans, the survey highlights that a majority of Indians believe residents’ associations should not interfere in personal dietary choices, sparking ongoing debates about the balance of individual freedom and community regulations.
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