Palitana is a celebrated Jain pilgrim centre of historical and spiritual importance and all sensitive and considerate non-vegetarians, be they Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian, will understand and make allowance for the fact that committed vegetarians, especially those living in a temple town or coming on yatra, could find the stark sight and strong smell of carcasses nauseating. It may well be that many meat-eaters themselves, while enjoying the final result on their plates, are unable to watch the start of the process, the gory sight and pitiful cries of animals being slaughtered in abattoirs. As the Hindi saying goes, banti mithai aur janti lugaai (the sight of sweets being made or women in labour) is best avoided, although the result is welcome. However, 25 per cent of Palitana’s population is reportedly Muslim. The diet of this community also deserves respect and accommodation.