BJP is known to be a party for which cow is not just an animal and protecting it from getting slaughtered is something which every party worker promises of.
However, sometimes politics makes you learn how to adjust as per the situation and the same seems to have happened with Bharatiya Janata Party in reference to the three Northeastern states where elections are going to held next year.
On Monday, BJP has said that cow slaughter will not be banned in these states if party comes to power and this becomes necessary for them to clarify as these are Christian majority states and for Christians, beef is an important food item.
Here’s what HT was told by Visasolie Lhoungu, Nagaland BJP chief,
“Ban on cow slaughter like the one in UP won’t take effect in Nagaland if our party comes to power next year. The reality here is very different and our central leaders are aware of that.”
However, a statement has been issued by David Kharsati, general secretary of BJP’s Meghalaya unit, who has blamed “groups with vested interest” to spread rumors.
As per the Daily, Shibun Lyngdoh, Meghalaya BJP chief, said,
“Even in UP, action is being taken on slaughter houses operating without proper license. While there would be no ban on cow slaughter, we would like the government to ensure killing and sale of animals is done legally and in a hygienic manner. We are in BJP because of the party’s development agenda. The party’s position is improving and more and more people are joining. Things look bright for next year.”
According to Hindustan Times, here’s what JV Hluna, BJP president of Mizoram, said,
“There would be no ban on cow slaughter in Mizoram and other states in the region where there is a majority Christian population.”
Just to inform, beef is one of the most consumed products of Christian majority in Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
In the meantime, Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister, stated that merely illegal slaughter houses have been closed in UP and they must be closed, without a doubt.
IANS reported Sitharaman saying this,
“What is being done in Uttar Pradesh is about illegal slaughter houses. I think even the honourable member would not want illegal slaughter houses to function. The Chief Minister (Adityanath Yogi) has been clear (that) he is talking about illegal slaughter houses. There cannot be a difference of opinion here.”
Even the Uttar Pradesh govt. maintained that the action had been taken against illegal slaughter houses merely. This is what Siddhartha Nath Singh, Health Minister, said,
“We are acting only against illegal abattoirs. Licenced slaughter houses are requested to stick to the norms. The licenced slaughter houses should comply with the norms mentioned in the licence and need not to fear. No orders have been issued to take any action against any shop selling chicken, fish or eggs. They need not to fear.”
Singh has instructed officials neither to be over-enthusiastic nor disregard the jurisdiction. As per him, National Green Tribunal laid emphasis on closing illegal abattoirs.
“The NGT had in 2015 observed that illegal slaughter houses are a concern for the environment, while insisting on their closure. However, the previous government did not do anything to ensure the closure of these illegal abattoirs.”
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