The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday saw sharp exchanges between BJP members and some of their Opposition counterparts over the Maharashtra Government banning consumption of beef. The issue was raised by TMC member Derek O’Brien who said the punishment for selling beef was more than that for sexual harassment.
Sharing his opinion on the issue during Zero Hour, O’Brien said beef is “poor man’s protein” as it is cheaper than other meats adding beef is consumed by not only minorities but also by Dalits and people of the North-Eastern States.
The ban, he said, would lead to a hike in prices of other meat like fish and chicken and affect the livelihood of people associated with the trade. Even as some BJP members objected to his assertion, the TMC member said Maharashtra faces 55 per cent shortage of fodder and banning slaughter of sick and old animals would aggravate the crisis.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi interjected and said beef is a sensitive issue and should not be matter of debate. Urging the Government not to tamper with the fabric of constitution, O’Brien said even in Dubai and UAE, where the meat of a particular animal was prohibited, people can buy it from select places. He then went on to remark that the fine for “sexual harassment case is less than eating a particular meat within the confines of one’s home.”