Mankachar MLA Slams Assam Government’s Beef Ban As Attack On Secularism

MANKACHAR: Mankachar MLA Aminul Islam has strongly condemned the Assam government’s decision to ban beef consumption in hotels, restaurants, and community gatherings, describing it as “an attack on secularism” and claiming it unfairly targets the state’s Muslim community. 

“This decision is clearly an attempt to polarize voters ahead of the elections,” Islam stated. He further accused Congress MP Rakibul Hussain and Assam Congress President Bhupen Borah of collaborating with the BJP to stir what he referred to as a "beef controversy." Islam has demanded clarification from the Congress leaders, whose remarks reportedly led to the ban.

The move has sparked widespread criticism, with some locals labeling the decision as “blatantly communal.” One resident remarked,“While the government turns a blind eye to rampant drug trafficking that is ruining Assam’s future, it chooses to focus on communal issues. If Himanta Biswa Sarma truly has courage, let him ban pork in Assam.”

Another local criticized the government’s priorities, stating, “The cabinet seems to lack capable politicians. They failed to stop illegal cow syndicates yet talk about banning beef. This is about controlling personal freedoms, not governance.”

The controversy began after accusations that the BJP distributed beef during the byelection in the Muslim-majority Samaguri constituency. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who chaired a virtual cabinet meeting from New Delhi, approved the ban amid stiff opposition.

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