American fast food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) can open their outlets in Ayodhya but can sell only vegetarian items in the restricted zone, Ayodhya district magistrate Nitish Kumar has said.
However, KFC, famous for its fried chicken items, can sell their non-vegetarian products outside the restricted zone, where serving liquor is also banned.
The Ayodhya administration has banned the sale of liquor or non-vegetarian items within Panch Kosi Marg, which is a 15 km pilgrimage circuit around the Ram Temple area.
"All brands, including KFC, are welcome to open their outlets in Ayodhya. If they open their outlets in the area of Ayodhya where there is a ban on serving and selling of non-vegetarian items and liquor, then they will have to sell vegetarian items. There is no restriction in the rest of the area of Ayodhya," DM Kumar said.
A similar restriction is also in place in Haridwar in Uttarakhand. Thus, food chains like KFC serving meat items are situated outside the city limits on the Haridwar-Roorkee highway.
The development comes as Ayodhya sees an influx of visitors following the 'pran pratishtha' or consecration ceremony of the idol of Lord Ram on January 22. Several restaurants and eateries have come up near the temple to cater to the devotees.
