Beef ban issue exposes cracks between PDP, BJP in Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR: The issue of beef ban in Jammu and Kashmir has exposed strains and invisible cracks between the ruling coalition partners, with BJP demanding strict implementation of the ban and PDP expressing its reservations on implementing the prohibitory orders.

The assembly session, starting from October 3, is likely to be volatile as the opposition National Conference, Congress and some other MLAs have decided to bring in separate bills against the ban. Another MLA, Abdul Rashid Sheikh, has already started a signature campaign seeking support to scrap the ban law. BJP has threatened violence if Speaker accepts to discuss the issue in the assembly.

J&K’s Cabinet minister and PDP leader Imran Raza Ansari said: "We will never sell our principles. We are Muslims first and beef consumption will continue in the state. Nobody can interfere in our religion and eating habits." He said the government would sort out the issue on its own in the assembly.

BJP spokesman Khalid Jehangir said the law should be implemented and majority of the people never ate beef in the state. "All these beef shops came up after 1990, when militancy started in Kashmir. The law is supreme and has to be strictly implemented," said Jehangir.

Under section 298A of the Ranbir Penal Code, intentionally killing or slaughtering a cow or like animal is a cognizable non-bailable offence punishable with 10 years of imprisonment and fine. Under section 298B, possessing the flesh of such an animal is a cognizable non-bailable offence punishable with imprisonment of one year and fine.