Assam Beef Ban 'Not Political' Says Shiv Sena, But Warns Himanta Against Scoring 'Brownie Points'

The Shiv Sena (UBT) said the Assam government's beef ban in public places is not political, but warned CM Himanta Biswa Sarma against using it for brownie points.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi.

Source : PTI

The Shiv Sena (UBT) said on Thursday the Assam government's decision to extend the beef ban to restaurants and public places is "not political" but warned against using the diktat to score "brownie" points. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "That's a decision for the Government to make. There is nothing political about it. It is important to note that the CM continues to hope to get some political brownie points based on some accusations that he has levied against the Opposition. So, it is a choice that he had to make and he has made the choice."

"But if he is trying to derive any political benefit out of it, he should remember that as an in charge of Jharkhand, he just managed to lose an election when he made it about Hindus vs Muslims," she added.

#WATCH | Delhi: On Assam govt banning the consumption of beef in restaurants and public places, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi says, "That's a decision for the Government to make. There is nothing political about it. What is important to note is that the CM continues to… pic.twitter.com/uhXIFkNMQa

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2024

The Samajwadi Party's Iqra Hasan, however, did not mince her words and slammed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for the decision. The Kairana MP said: "This is interference in personal life and is against the provisions of the Constitution. This is a direct violation of the Right to Freedom. The government cannot interfere in personal lives in this manner... There are people of different religions in this country. This is the beauty of our country. If we start banning everything, then we are moving towards dictatorship. We cannot call ourselves a democracy."

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday extended the beef ban in the state to restaurants, hotels, and public events to restrict consumption. Earlier, the sale or purchase of beef and beef products was banned only in areas predominantly inhabited by Hindu, Jain, Sikh and other non-beef-eating communities or within a radius of 5 km of any temple or other religious institutions, as per the existing Assam Cattle Preservation Act of 2021.

(With inputs from Neeraj Pandey.)