Thiruvananthapuram: Many Keralites on Friday heard with shock the news of the Indian federal government deciding to rein in cow slaughter in the country, going so far as to ban the sale of cows to slaughter houses.
The news was met with disbelief, and many took to social media with memes poking fun at the federal government.
State agricultural minister VS Sunil Kumar condemned the federal government’s decision and pointed out that the running of slaughter houses was a state subject. He also alleged that the federal government was implementing the agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Kumar said the federal government’s decision was an infringement on the right of citizens over their choice of food, and that such a decision cannot be accepted.
Beef is the most common meat variety consumed in Kerala, and it is eaten by people across the religious board. It is also particularly appealing for the financially weaker sections because it is cheaper than chicken and mutton.
While beef consumption is traditional in Kerala, in recent days the practice has been questioned by some sections and volunteers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which opposes beef consumption at the national level. Also, cadres of the Communist Party of India Marxist (CPM) have fought over the right to eat beef.
Earlier this month, BJP workers objected to a beef stall at a panchayat market in Kollam district, alleging that the stall was unauthorised.
The BJP’s protest was countered by volunteers of the CPM and the Democratic Youth Federation of India, who organised a beef festival and served beef delicacies to those who visited the market.
