AHMEDABAD: While controversies rage over meat bans and vegetarianism versus non-vegetarianism across the country, many food chains have preferred to go completely vegetarian for the nine-nights of Navratri festival here. American chain Domino’s Pizza has decided to go 100% vegetarian not only in Gujarat but in Delhi, Maharashtra and UP as well.

“As many as 164 outlets of Domino’s pizzerias across India will serve only vegetarian food during Navratri. The decision was arrived upon after studying eating habits of people at our outlets,” said an official of Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd, which owns the Domino’s Pizza chain in India.

Restaurateurs and hoteliers aren’t saying whether this a move to play safe, or to cash in on the majority sentiment, as some non-vegetarians also go vegetarian out of reverence for Navratri. However, many top-end hotels, which pride themselves on their non-veg cuisine have also positioned themselves as serving pure-veg platters from 11 pm to 3 am — the time hungry garba revellers hit restaurants.

Hotels are also offering special veg buffets, for between Rs 350 and Rs 500 a head. This includes special ‘vrat thalis’ and snacks. “We have started an exclusive vegetarian midnight buffet which will be served till 3 am,” said Rajesh Sinha, vice-president of a city hotel.

Narendra Somani, president, Restaurant and Hotel Association of Gujarat said: “Navratri is the biggest festival in the state. Even those who otherwise eat non-vegetarian food restrict themselves to vegetarian food in this period. Going vegetarian gives hotels an opportunity to attract the predominantly vegetarian crowd.”

Mayank Vachani, an avid meat eater, said: “This is a forced vegetarianism. How can they not serve non-veg for nine days? This is ridiculous. Until last year, my friends and me used to relish non-veg pizzas at a nearby fast food joint after dancing the night away at garbas. This year, we’ll have to look for other options for nine excruciating days.”

“Many hotels and restaurants have been offering special vegetarian platters for Navratri. This year, they have gone all guns blazing by publicizing these to attract more footfalls,” said an official of a city hotel who asked not to be named.

“I can’t understand the concept behind selective vegetarianism, especially when you eat non-veg food the whole year through. It would be a fallacy to say there are no meat-eaters in Gujarat. In fact, Gujarat is a non-vegetarian gourmet paradise,” said Nayan Panchal, an IIT-Gandhinagar student.

