Arunachal: Eateries asked to remove 'beef' from signboards

After the completion of provided time to remove the sign, the office will carry out their legal procedure, wherein the officials will paint out the word from such signboards.
Representative Image

Representative Image

Itanagar: A day before, an order was issued by the Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) office, Naharlagun directing all hotels and restaurants within the administrative boundary of the Naharlagun sub-division to remove signboards with the word 'beef' under Section 144 CrPC by July 18 this month.

The order stated that the district administration of ICR believe in the secular spirit of the Indian Constitution but such open display of the word 'beef' on the signboards of hotels and restaurants may hurt the sentiments of some sections of the community and may create animosity between different communities.

Hence, to maintain peace in the community and to continue the spirit of secularism and brotherhood within the community, the office of the EAC directed such hotels and restaurants to remove such signboards, failing which it also stated that a fine of Rs 2,000 and cancelation of trading license will be initiated.

The order is now being much talked about among the people of the State, where the majority of the people consume beef. Moreover, the State laws do not ban the consumption of beef. Several State Governments and union territories (UTs) have enacted cattle preservation laws in one form or the other. Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands have no such legislation.

EAC Tamo Dada said that there is no ban on consuming beef. However a verbal complaint was received by him from a group of people stating that such signboards hurt their religious sentiments.

He said that the order was issued as a preventive measure so that people do not make it a religious issue in future.

"The Hindus don't consume beef as it is considered to be against their religion and they believe the cow to be holy. Moreover, in any part of the country, you won't see any hotels or restaurants that openly put such signs, though they serve beef," he said.

Dada also said that after the completion of provided time to remove the sign, the office will carry out their legal procedure, wherein the officials will paint out the word from such signboards.

"Also, if necessary the office will impose a fine Rs 2,000 on the hotel and restaurant as mentioned in the order copy," he added.

Dada said that the owners can rather use other words like, 'Khan', 'Ali hotels' etc., which is very well understood that they serve beef meat without hurting the religious sentiments of others.

He also clarified that the office did not receive any complaints on any reports of altercation between any community regarding the open display of such signage in hotels and restaurants.

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