Editor,
I was shocked to learn about the Assam government’s decision to ban the serving and consumption of beef in restaurants, hotels and public places, which means that cows are given religious connotations and people cannot slaughter and sell cows at will. A large number of slaughterhouses and restaurants will face closure, which seriously violates people’s basic rights and goes against secularism.
The Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) district administration had once issued a controversial and polarising decree, barring the use of the word ‘beef’ on the signboards of hotels and restaurants in the ICR, but eventually revoked the order due to public opposition. I am very worried that Assam’s practice will affect Arunachal Pradesh again.
Arunachal is different from Assam. It has many tribes, big and small. Cows occupy a large position in tribal sacrificial rituals. This is their religious custom and also related to their livelihood. Moreover, the majority of Arunachalis have eaten beef since time immemorial and both beef eaters and non-eaters have been peacefully residing.
Therefore, I hope that Assam’s decree will not affect Arunachal. Any decree of the government should take into account the actual situation of the local people. Beef is just food and should not be given more connotations.
Tana Likha