Kashite saints call on the Railway Ministry to prohibit non-vegetarian fare on trains leaving Varanasi. They argue that food served on routes linking religious cities should mirror local traditions.

The Vande Bharat sleeper between Varanasi and New Delhi will run six days a week starting October 31. Vegetarian meals are already available on similar Vande Bharat services from Ayodhya and Vaishno Devi.

Swami Jitendranand, one of the leaders in the petition, questioned why non-vegetarian food remains permissible on Varanasi routes.