STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Communist Party of India (M) has strongly condemned the Assam government banning beef consumption in public spaces, including restaurants and hotels.
The CPI (M) alleged that this decision is seen as an attempt to impose a particular dietary preference on the people of Assam with blithe disregard to the cultural and religious diversity of the state.
The CPI (M) state secretary, Suprakash Talukdar, has criticized the ban, stating that it is a deliberate attempt to create communal tensions and promote divisive politics. He said that in a state where people of different people reside together, it may create communal hatred. The party has also pointed out that the Assam Cattle Preservation Act 2021, which regulates cattle slaughter, is impractical and will harm both Hindu and Muslim cattle rearers.
The party said that this decision will infringe on the constitutional rights of 1.20 crore Muslims and Christians living in Assam. The CPI (M) accused the BJP-led government in the state of trying to term the habits of different faiths as a crime, which is a personal choice. The party has also expressed concern that this move will affect the livelihoods of many people, particularly those involved in the cattle trade.
The CPI (M) has termed the beef ban as a blow to secularism and a threat to the democratic rights of the people. The party has appealed to the people of Assam to rollback the ban and uphold the principles of secularism and democracy.
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