Jaipur
Protests have intensified against the proposal to rename Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s only hill station, and impose a ban on non-vegetarian food and alcohol consumption in public areas. Various organizations have voiced their concerns, stating that these changes could severely affect the local economy.
On April 25, the local self-government department requested the Nagar Parishad commissioner’s opinion on renaming Mount Abu to ‘Aburaj Teerth’ and restricting meat and liquor consumption in public. This proposal, based on Mount Abu’s religious significance, was passed in a Nagar Parishad meeting last October and is still awaiting state government approval. Subsequently, several MLAs have written to Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma to support the name change and the consumption ban due to the hill station's religious importance.
Local businesses argue that the name change would create confusion as Mount Abu is recognized globally. They also warn that such prohibitions could drastically reduce tourism, which is the backbone of the town’s economy. Twenty-three local organizations, including the Mount Abu Hotel Association and the Sindhi Seva Samaj, have submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister’s office through the Sub Divisional Officer.
Tourism-related businesses claim that about 5,000 to 6,000 tourists visit Mount Abu daily, many of whom come from Gujarat, a dry state. They fear that a decline in tourism could lead to widespread unemployment and business closures. Stakeholders stress that the name Mount Abu is internationally recognized and holds historical significance, tracing back to ancient texts and myths.
