The reaction of a BJP MLA from Meghalaya to the party-led Assam government’s announcement of a ban on the public consumption of beef in the state has gone viral, inspiring ditties, among other things. As Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s beef order became public, Sanbor Shullai had quipped: “[In Meghalaya] We can eat snake, beef, scorpion, whatever we like… It is your choice.”
But even closer home, the ban promised by Sarma is going to be hard to implement, especially in Assam’s tribal belts where beef is commonly consumed, particularly during festivities.
Sarma’s announcement of adding a provision for a complete ban on serving and consumption of beef in public places, including eateries and at community gatherings, to the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021, was as much an administrative move as meant to put the Congress in a spot.
It followed allegations by a section of the Congress leaders that Sarma and the BJP had “served beef” to voters to pull off a historic win in the Muslim-majority Samaguri seat in last month’s Assembly bypolls. The CM said that since the Congress too seemed to suggest that this was wrong, he was happy to ban beef.
As Christmas festivities begin, Diphu-based veteran tribal politician and former state minister Holiram Terang has asked how a beef ban would be implemented in the region. “The Karbis and Dimasas do not eat beef, but different Naga and Kuki communities do. It is normally a part of community feasts and festivities. I don’t think any kind of ban on serving is possible here, with so many diverse communities… Any attempt to seriously attempt (implementing the ban) can be sensitive,” he said.
While 61.7% of Assam’s population is Hindu as per the 2011 Census, Muslims are at 34.33%. While another 3.74% are Christians, the tribal population is estimated at 12.4%, with the most diverse concentration of them in the districts of Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
These districts, falling under the Sixth Schedule which protects their customs, have as many as 15 recognised tribes, including Karbi, Dimasa, ‘Any Kuki’ tribes, ‘Any Naga’ tribes, ‘Any Mizo’ tribes, Hmar, Khasi and Garo.
Pramith Sengyung, general secretary of the Dimasa Students’ Union based in Haflong, also questioned the practicality of a beef ban and worried it could stoke tensions by hurting the diversity of the region.
“Our community does not consume beef, but there are 13 tribal communities in our district, most of whom practise Christianity. Any such move should not be done without the consent of the tribal communities… it can hurt sentiments… Some communities serve beef during festivals and, while I don’t think this kind of ban will affect it much, it is not welcome,” Sengyung said.
In Meghalaya, which is ruled by a BJP ally and has found itself at odds with the Assam government over other issues as well, the beef ban has also caused a flutter. Shullai, who remarked that it should be a matter of choice, said he “condemned and opposed it (the ban)” and that he would ensure that this was never introduced in Meghalaya.
Meghalaya minister Rakkam Sangma, who belongs to the state’s main ruling party National People’s Party, an ally of the BJP, made light of the situation, saying Meghalaya should take advantage of the situation. “Meghalaya should set up good hotels in Byrnihat, Khanapara and serve good beef curry, so that Assam people come to Meghalaya, eat well and go back,” he recently told reporters.
Incidentally, since the announcement about the ban last week, there has been no official step by the Assam government to implement it.
The existing 2021 cattle protection legislation in Assam bars the sale and purchase of beef or beef products 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 sattra (Vaishnavite monasteries). It excludes buffaloes from its definition of cattle. It prohibits slaughter of a cow under any circumstances, while other cattle can be slaughtered subject to a “fit for slaughter” certificate.
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