The BJP on Tuesday termed the reports of beef ban in Meghalaya as “false and malicious untruth”, after another party leader in the state resigned over the Centre’s controversial notification on cattle. The party clarified that any such decision is for the state government to take.
Nalin Kohli, Meghalaya in-charge for the BJP, blamed the Congress for spreading this ‘malicious untruth.’ He accused it of communalising the political motive in the state that will go to polls next year.
The North Garo Hills district BJP president, Bachu Marak, resigned from the party over the Centre’s ban on the sale of cattle in markets for slaughter.
“I cannot compromise on the sentiments of the Garos. As a Garo, it is my responsibility to protect the interest of my community. Beef eating is part of our culture and tradition. Imposition of BJP’s non-secular ideology on us is not acceptable,” Bachu said after the resignation.
Kohli said the party “welcomed” his resignation. He also added that disciplinary action will be taken against Bachu.
Consumption of beef is common in parts of north eastern states. “The dirty tricks department of the Congress is trying to communalise the agenda with a false and malicious untruth that the BJP wants to impose a beef ban on the state of Meghalya. Nothing is farther from the truth since under our constitutional scheme, the central government cannot encroach on the area of what a state government has to decide,” Kohli said.
The BJP is gearing up to contest the assembly elections on this positive agenda of development in Meghalaya, he said.
