November 25, or International Vegetarian Day, as known and celebrated by some in India and Asian Pacific Rim nations, is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sadhu T L Vaswani. Vaswani was said to be an ardent advocator of the practice of vegetarian living.

Also referred to as the SAK Meatless Day, the state government has decided to join in the jamboree. Following the order, all slaughter houses in Uttar Pradesh will remain closed tomorrow.

A mandate has been issued that prohibits the opening of any meat, mutton or fish shops tomorrow, that is, on November 25. It also stated that like Mahavir Jayanti, Buddha Jayanti, Gandhi Jayanti and Shivratri, T L Vaswani Jayanti will also see the shops closed in the state.

Born on November 25, 1879, in Hyderabad, Sadhu TL Vaswani was a contemporary sadhu or saint and an educator who founded various movements in his life. These included the Mira Movement that aimed at empowering and educating women and the Sadhu Vaswani Mission that believed in the unity of all religions and faiths

It is in his honour that November 25 is celebrated as an International Meatless Day, keeping in mind his vegetarian lifestyle.