Known for its love for the cow, the Manohar lal Khattar Government in Haryana has come under fire over its latest move to collect samples of biryani from Muslim dominated Mewat district to keep a tab on consumption of beef in the area, just ahead of Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakra Eid).
Following directions from Haryana Gau Seva Ayog, the authorities have collected samples of biryani from shopkeepers and vendors in Mewat and sent for test to a laboratory in Hisar’s lala lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. The directions to collect samples were issued by Haryana Gau Seva Ayog after receiving complaints that beef was being added to the dish.
However, the Government’s move has now attracted sharp criticism from the Opposition parties INlD and Congress.
Former Minister and Congress leader Aftab Ahmed while talking to the mediapersons said that the practice is aimed at defaming the district and humiliate the particular area and community.
The complaints received or allegations levelled regarding consumption of beef are baseless, said Ahmed, a former MlA from Nuh.
Slamming the BJP led Haryana Government, leader of opposition in Haryana Vidhan Sabha and INlD’s senior leader Abhay Singh Chautala said that the BJP Government is trying to mislead the people. The BJP leaders are themselves promoting consumption of beef, he said.
BJP’s lok Sabha MP, Udit Raj had recently said that eating beef helped Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt win nine Olympic gold medals, suggesting that beef eating can fetch gold medals at the Olympics. But the Haryana Government had defended the MP in the State Assembly, said Chautala.
INlD’s MlA from Nuh, Zakir Hussain has demanded that the practice of collecting samples should be stopped. On the other hand, Congress’ MlA Karan Dalal alleged that the State Government is trying to divert people’s attention from its failures to such issues. By taking steps like collecting samples of biryani, the Government is just trying to divert people’s attention to hide their failures, said Dalal.
Meanwhile, Bhani Ram Mangla, chairman of Gau Sewa Aayog while defending the government’s drive said, “We received many complaints in the past few days that beef was being added to the biryani and being served to the people in Mewat.”
Mangla while talking to the media said that samples were taken from vendors recently and more samples of biryani would be taken and sent for test. If beef is found in the samples, strict action would be taken against the guilty as per the Act, he said.
Refuting opposition’s allegations of acting against a particular community, Mangla said that we are taking actions after receiving several complaints.
The Gau rakshak task force along with the help of officers of Animal Husbandry Department had collected samples of biryani and would continue this drive, he added.
Haryana senior Minister Anil Vij also defended the move saying that the consumption of beef is banned in Haryana and accordingly, the State Government is taking measures to keep a check on beef consumption.
Bhani Ram Mangla and DIG Bharti Arora, who is nodal officer to check slaughter and smuggling of cows in the state had on Tuesday held a meeting with police officials of Mewat and directed them to be on their toes in the wake of complaints about the usage of beef in biryani.
Notably, the State Government has set up gau rakshak task force to strictly enforce the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act, 2015. The Act which came into force last year provides for a rigorous imprisonment ranging from three years to ten years for cow slaughter. It also provides for a fine from `30,000 to `1 lakh.
The state Gau Sewa Aayog has also asked the state Police to take immediate action against the vendors found selling beef and the food and drug administration have been asked to ensure early reports of tests.
Earlier, the Government’s decision to introduce ‘special identification tags’ for state cows and issue identity cards to genuine gau rakshaks, was also criticized by many social organizations.
From enforcing strict Act to keep a check on cow slaughter to setting up a special gau rakshak task force and even, appointing a senior IPS officer to monitor cases of cow smuggling in Haryana, the State Government is sparing no efforts for cow protection.