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Saturday, October 5, 2024

Goa CM stance on beef highlights BJP’s double standards

News Analysis |

In an apparent display of double standards, the BJP leaders of Goa and Kerala have promised a supply of beef to their constituents. Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday said that nobody could stop the legal business of beef. Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a function near the city, he said nobody could stop legal beef trade in the state and beef traders could carry legal documents and produce them if demanded and continue with their business.

The Chief Minister, however, said that instructions had been issued to the top officials in the state to take strict action against the illegal business of beef. Parrikar said that no action would be initiated against those vehicles which transport beef and have all the legal documents in place.

Muslims were the target of 51% of violence centered on bovine issues over nearly eight years and comprised of 86% of 28 Indians killed in 63 incidents, according to an IndiaSpend content analysis of the English media.

“Those involved in legal beef trade or supply will face no action. I have issued directions to police accordingly. There is no need to panic,” he said. Beef traders in Goa called off their four-day strike on Tuesday after the state government and the police assured them police protection for meat consignments transported from Karnataka.

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Hanumant Parab, chief of the Gorakshak Abhiyan Goa (GAG), which has been spearheading the campaign against “illegal” beef import into the state, said it will continue to oppose beef being brought in. At a press conference on Tuesday, Mr. Parab insisted that beef being transported from Karnataka was from “illegal” butchers, and that the police were inefficient.

Mr. Parab said Goa should follow Maharashtra’s example to impose a complete ban on cow progeny slaughter, and accused Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar of failing to take steps in that direction. Manna Bepari, president of the Quraishi Meat Traders Association of Goa, said during a press conference, “In light of the assurance given to us by senior police officers, we are withdrawing the strike. Beef will be available in Goa from Wednesday.”

According to a report, 86% killed in cow-related violence since 2010 are Muslim. 97% of the attacks have happened after the Modi-led BJP government came to power.

He said the State and police have also assured them that the vehicles will not be intercepted by anyone except by the police teams checking consignments and the designated veterinary officers. Beef traders in the State were on strike since Saturday, alleging harassment by vigilante groups who ‘raid’ beef consignments from Karnataka. They also accused government officials of harassing them at the behest of these groups, who create obstacles in transportation of the meat.

Parrikar’s statements echo the BJP candidates in Kerala statements on beef in May 2017. While Bharatiya Janata Party governments across the country are cracking down on illegal meat shops and slaughterhouses, the party’s candidate in Kerala’s Mallapuram has ensured voters of “good quality” beef if voted to power. N Sreeprakash assuaged voters against letting the party’s stance on the cow protectionism in other states influence their decision.

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The party’s Mallapuram candidate said voters should not feel threatened by the party’s stance on cow protectionism in other states. “The ban in UP is against selling the meat of deceased and sick animals,” he said. “Will Muslims eat meat which is non-halal? I assure you that I would ensure supply of halal meat in Malappuram if you elect me in the by-election. I will make the effort to establish good slaughterhouses, no doubt about that.

The most evident of these militants have been the Gau Rakshaks who have started to haunt the highways of India. Using the protection of the law, these Gau Rakshaks have initiated brutal attacks against civilians

You should not hesitate to vote for me on the ground that the BJP is supporting beef ban.” The district has a Muslim majority and beef consumption is high in the region. But his party colleague gave a more diplomatic statement. “As long as Kerala does not have a beef ban, the BJP state unit is not against its consumption,” the party’s Kerala General Secretary MT Ramesh told IANS. “The issue comes into play when there is a ban. Currently, there is no ban and hence nothing against the law.”

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With the rise of the Hindutva fundamentalist BJP to power in 2014, Hindutva militants have become prominent in most parts of India. The most evident of these militants have been the Gau Rakshaks who have started to haunt the highways of India. Using the protection of the law, these Gau Rakshaks have initiated brutal attacks against civilians (mostly Muslims).

N Sreeprakash assuaged voters against letting the party’s stance on the cow protectionism in other states influence their decision.

According to a report, 86% killed in cow-related violence since 2010 are Muslim. 97% of the attacks have happened after the Modi-led BJP government came to power. As many as 124 people were also injured in the cow related attacks and more than half (52%) of these attacks were based on rumours.

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Muslims were the target of 51% of violence centered on bovine issues over nearly eight years (2010 to 2017) and comprised of 86% of 28 Indians killed in 63 incidents, according to an IndiaSpend content analysis of the English media.