A BJP MLA from Meghalaya’s reaction to the party-led Assam government announcing a ban on public consumption of beef in the state has gone viral, among other things inspiring. After Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma’s meat order became public, Sanbor Shullai quipped: “(In Meghalaya) we can eat snake, beef, scorpion, whatever we like… it’s your choice.”
But even closer to home, the ban imposed by Sarma will be difficult to enforce, especially in the tribal areas of Assam where beef is commonly consumed, especially during festivals.
Sarma’s announcement to add a provision to the Assam Cattle Protection Act, 2021 to completely ban the serving and consumption of beef in public places, including canteens and community gatherings, was an administrative move to bring the Congress in. the place
A section of Congress leaders Sharma and the BJP fed beef voters to a historic victory in the Muslim-majority Samguri seat in last month’s assembly by-elections. The CM said the Congress was also happy to ban beef, appearing to suggest that it was wrong.
With the beginning of the Christmas festival, Holiram Terang, a veteran tribal politician and former state minister of Diphu, has questioned how to implement the beef ban in the region. “The Karbis and Dimas do not eat beef, but various Naga and Kuki communities do. It is usually a part of community feasts and celebrations. I don’t think any kind of ban on service is possible here, so many diverse communities…any attempt to seriously (Implementing sanctions) can be sensitive,” he said.
According to the 2011 census, 61.7% of Assam’s population is Hindu, while Muslims constitute 34.33%. While another 3.74% are Christians, the tribal population is estimated at 12.4%, with their most diverse concentrations in Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts.
There are 15 recognized tribes including Karbi, Dimasa, any Kuki, any Naga, any Mizo, Hamar, Khasi and Garo in these districts which fall under the Sixth Schedule to protect their customs.
Prameeth Sengyung, general secretary of Haflong-based Dimasa Student Union, also questioned the practicality of the beef ban and expressed concern that it could harm the region’s diversity and cause tension.
“Our community does not eat beef, but there are 13 tribal communities in our district, most of which practice Christianity. No such action should be taken without the consent of the tribal community… it may hurt sentiments… some communities eat beef during festivals and I don’t think this kind of ban will have much impact, it is not welcome,’ said Seungyung.
In Meghalaya, which is ruled by a BJP ally and is at loggerheads with the Assam government on other issues, the beef ban has also taken off. Commenting that it should be a matter of choice, Shullai said he “condemned and opposed it (the ban)” and said he would ensure that it was never introduced in Meghalaya.
Meghalaya minister Raksha Sangma, who is an ally of the state’s main ruling National People’s Party, BJP, highlighted that Meghalaya should take advantage of the situation. “Meghalaya should set up good hotels in Birnihat, Khanapara and serve good beef curry, so that people from Assam come to Meghalaya, eat well and come back,” he told reporters recently.
Incidentally, since the ban was announced last week, the Assam government has not taken any official steps to enforce it.
The existing 2021 Cattle Protection Act in Assam bans the sale and purchase of beef or beef products “in areas predominantly inhabited by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and other non-meat-eating communities” or “within 5 km radius” of a temple. or satras (Vaishnava monasteries). This excludes buffaloes from the definition of cattle. It prohibits the slaughter of cows under any circumstances, while other cattle may be slaughtered subject to a “fit for slaughter” certificate.
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