South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai, one of only two legislators in the Meghalaya Assembly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has criticised the recent move by the government of Assam (run by the BJP) to ban the consumption of beef in public places, including all restaurants in the neighbouring state.
BJP leaders are often forced to play down the Hindutva elements of the party to try and win over votes in Christian-majority Meghalaya even though the BJP seems hell bent on spreading a radical and uncompromising right-wing Hindu agenda in the rest of the country.
In somewhat rambling comments to reporters today, Shullai said that he personally condemns and opposes Assam’s move. He cited examples of how other countries around the world eat all types of meats, insects and even reptiles. He added that even in the Constitution there is no law that restricts any type of meat to eat.
“I oppose it and here in Meghalaya it is your choice…we eat all types of meat. You can’t force what people should eat. It is an individual choice. I strongly oppose it and it will not happen here,” the BJP MLA stated.
When it was pointed out that Assam is run by the BJP and he is also a legislator from the same party, Shullai said that there is a different style of functioning between him and the Assam BJP.
The MLA also said that he is prepared to write to leaders in New Delhi and to the Assam government to express his disappointment with the ruling of the Assam government. “I have already prepared a message and will also send it to Himanta (Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister) that we feel bad and sorry. We restrict criminals but to restrict what to eat is wrong,” added Shullai.
