Meat Of Contention
THE WEEK|June 18, 2017

States, including BJP-ruled ones, are trying to find a way around Centre’s cattle slaughter ban

Rabi Banerjee And Lakshmi Subramanian
Meat Of Contention

Bachcha Marak does not eat beef regularly. But the former BJP district president of North Garo Hills in Meghalaya has a beef with the Union government’s May 23 notification to ban the sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets.

Bachcha joined the BJP last year with his friend Bernard Marak, who was the district president of West Garo Hills. A week ago, Bernard hosted a beef party to celebrate three years of the Narendra Modi government. He was reportedly asked to resign, and he obliged, saying he was a Garo first and then a politician. Bachcha followed suit on June 6.

“I cannot accept this [notification],” said Bachcha. “Why would not they understand that we need beef to survive? We the people of the hills have to eat meat for energy. Children are given beef, which comes at a low price.” He blamed the RSS for the ban. “I know the prime minister was asked by the RSS to take such a mindless decision.”

Also, Bachcha said the ban will affect the BJP politically— Meghalaya will go to the polls next year, and the party hopes to wrest power from the Congress. “People will give them a fitting reply in the coming days,” he said. State BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh, however, said there was no threat to the party’s chances in the northeast.

Meghalaya is not alone though. Other northeastern states, too, are openly opposing the ban. The Congress government in Mizoram said that it would not impose the ban. So did the Naga People’s Front-BJP government in Nagaland. State BJP president V. Lhoungu said beef was the main dish in almost the entire northeast region. “I hope our government would reconsider the ban,” he said.

This story is from the June 18, 2017 edition of THE WEEK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 18, 2017 edition of THE WEEK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE WEEKView All
WHAT IS YOUR SLEEP PATTERN?
THE WEEK India

WHAT IS YOUR SLEEP PATTERN?

YOUR SLEEP PATTERN may influence your risk of chronic diseases.

time-read
1 min  |
April 07, 2024
VISION PROBLEMS MAY BE AN EARLY SIGN OF ALZHEIMER'S
THE WEEK India

VISION PROBLEMS MAY BE AN EARLY SIGN OF ALZHEIMER'S

ACCORDING TO A US STUDY published in The Lancet Neurology, a rare eye condition known as posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) could be the first symptom of Alzheimer’s disease in 10 per cent of patients.

time-read
1 min  |
April 07, 2024
ANNUAL BREAST CANCER SCREENING BEGINNING AT 40 SAVES LIVES
THE WEEK India

ANNUAL BREAST CANCER SCREENING BEGINNING AT 40 SAVES LIVES

ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS to screen for breast cancer beginning at age 40 and continuing to at least 79 has the highest reduction in mortality with minimal risks, according to a US study published in the journal Radiology.

time-read
1 min  |
April 07, 2024
SWEETENED DRINKS MAY INCREASE RISK OF AFib
THE WEEK India

SWEETENED DRINKS MAY INCREASE RISK OF AFib

REGULARLY CONSUMING SUGARY or artificially sweetened beverages can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, the most common type of heart arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat.

time-read
1 min  |
April 07, 2024
MOST EFFECTIVE EXERCISES TO TREAT DEPRESSION
THE WEEK India

MOST EFFECTIVE EXERCISES TO TREAT DEPRESSION

A STUDY PUBLISHED IN THE BMJ says walking, jogging, yoga, strength training and dancing are the most effective exercises to treat depression, especially when intense.

time-read
1 min  |
April 07, 2024
LYING TO YOUR KIDS MAY MAKE THEM LIARS
THE WEEK India

LYING TO YOUR KIDS MAY MAKE THEM LIARS

KIDS WHOSE PARENTS LIE to them are more likely to lie to their parents, even if parents tell only innocent white lies, according to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology.

time-read
1 min  |
April 07, 2024
BAD AIR DAZE
THE WEEK India

BAD AIR DAZE

AIR POLLUTION'S EFFECTS GO BEYOND THE LUNGS, IMPACTING FERTILITY AND MENTAL HEALTH, BESIDES YOUR EYES AND SKIN

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 07, 2024
Women and the big C
THE WEEK India

Women and the big C

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in India. Here, we bust common myths, and outline diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies

time-read
10 mins  |
April 07, 2024
Make genome the norm
THE WEEK India

Make genome the norm

For India to meet its target of TB eradication by 2025, it will have to make rapid strides in using whole genome sequencing to its full potential

time-read
7 mins  |
April 07, 2024
ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD LINKED TO 32 MAJOR HEALTH ISSUES
THE WEEK India

ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD LINKED TO 32 MAJOR HEALTH ISSUES

Regular consumption of ultra-processed food is associated with an increased risk of 32 major health outcomes, including early death, cancer, mental health disorders, obesity, type 2 diabetes and respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases.

time-read
1 min  |
April 07, 2024