Will go to court against ban on beef, say traders

PUNE: Traders in the city have said that they will challenge the ban on beef imposed in the state after President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the long-pending Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 1995, making it a law.Maharashtra had banned the slaughter of cows and calves in 1976. The new law extends the ban to bulls and bullocks. It only excludes female buffaloes and their calves which need a fit-for-slaughter certificate before being butchered. Several states have already enacted similar laws.With the “protection of cows and their progeny” on the BJP’s manifesto, the Devendra Fadnavis government actively pushed to get the law enacted. It had been passed by the Maharashtra assembly 19 years ago and was awaiting presidential assent.The move will significantly impact beef trade as a bulk of the business depends on the meat of bullocks and bulls, traders said.“We have only read the news that the President has given assent to this bill. We are waiting for the details and are contemplating our legal options. We will take this matter right up to the Supreme Court if required,” said Anees Qureshi, a member of the All India Jamiatul Quresh.Last month, the body had called for a state-wide strike alleging that right-wing activists were carrying out “raids” on their vehicles and harassing them by forcing the police to file cases under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. They called off the agitation after an assurance from the chief minister.“The reports say that buffalo meat will still be available, but since buffaloes are milch cattle, they cost a lot. The move will have beef rates shoot up,” said Arif Chowdhury, a member of the body.Shetkari Sanghatana, the farmer’s organization, has also strongly opposed the new law, stating that they mobilise farmers against it. “It goes against the interests of farmers. Because of this, selling of old and aging bulls and bullocks will stop, putting an additional burden on farmers who will now have to continue feeding them when they are already facing problems such as scarcity of water and fodder,” said Raghunath Patil, president of Shetkari Sanghatana.The news has also left restaurant owners of the city confused. “We wouldn’t want to take beef dishes off the menus yet. Last month, during the strike, we were bringing in beef from Karnataka. I wonder if we will have to find an alternative like that,” said Kabir Ahuja, proprietor of a restaurant in Koregaon Park.Mohammad Badakandi, who runs a hotel in Camp, said that beef dishes account for about 50% sales at his restaurant as it is a more affordable option for his clientele. “I don’t know what we will do. Will we take beef off the menu or keep it? What will be the impact on the price of other meats — these are the questions doing the rounds,” Badakandi said. Hasan Qureshi, who runs another hotel also in Camp, said that the law will severely affect his business.