REPORTS OF BEEF BAN IN MEGHALAYA FALSE: BJP

The BJP on Tuesday termed as “false and malicious untruth” reports that it wants to impose a ban on beef in Meghalaya as another party leader in the state quit protesting the Centre’s controversial notification on cattle.

The party said any such decision is for the state government to take.

Nalin Kohli, who is Meghalaya in-charge for the BJP, blamed the Congress for spreading this “malicious untruth” and accused it of communalising the political agenda in the state going to polls next year.

The North Garo Hills district BJP president, Bachu Marak, had on Monday resigned from the party over the Centre’s ban on the sale of cattle in markets for slaughter.

“I cannot compromise on the sentiments of the Garos. As a Garo, it is my responsibility to protect the interest of my community. Beef eating is part of our culture and tradition. Imposition of BJP’s non-secular ideology on us is not acceptable,” Bachu said after the resignation.

Kohli said the party “welcomed” his resignation as it was going to take disciplinary action against him as he and some others were working to sabotage its prospects.

Consumption of beef is common in much of the N-E states and the BJP, whose many leaders are vocal against beef-eating, has been accused of working to impose a ban in the region as well.