Beef feast greets Rajnath at Aizawl
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Aizawl, June 12 2017: Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh was greeted with a beef feast as he landed in Aizawl today to review the security situation along the Indo-Myanmar border.

Opposing the controversial decision of the BJP led NDA Government banning slaughter of cattle for sale in the market, Zolife Group and other activists today organised "Beef Ban Bashing Banquet" in Aizawl.

The event was held at Vanapa Hall in the State capital where a large crowd including women gathered to take delight at the festival even though there was a heavy rainfall.

Beef feast greets Rajnath at Aizawl

"We are strongly against the Narendra Modi led Government's attempt to ban beef which is one of the most important traditional food items of the Mizos," one of the organisers said.

Speaking on the occasion, a member of Zolife Group who is also a writer Lalrinfela Hauhnar better known as Mafaa Hauhnar said that beef has been closely related with the Mizo custom, tradition and religion.

"Beef has a strong cultural importance with the Mizos.

Customarily cows and buffaloes are widely used as bride price in marriage among the Mizos and also on many other occasions," explained Lalrinfela Hauhnar.

He also said that the Mizos cannot hold a grand feast unless beef is included in the menu.

The young writer added that the decision to impose ban on beef is an instance of disrespect to the Mizo Christians and their custom.

"Though the Centre has said that beef ban would not affect culturally and ethnically the diversified North East region, the ban, if strictly imposed in the whole of the country would surely affect the food habit of the Mizos in the near future," a member of Zolife Group said.

Lalremruata Varte, a leading member of Zolife Group also said that today's "beef festival" was not an attempt to hurt the sentiment of the Hindus but a token of opposing the Central Government's decision to impose a ban on cow slaughter.

"The beef festival was a grand success as over 3000 people gathered to take part in it," he added.

Meanwhile, the State BJP chief Hluna said that there is no problem in eating beef in Mizoram as its consumption is allowed in the Bible.

Speaking to reporters earlier, the BJP leader from Mizoram had said that people should not worry about the Central Government's notification on cattle ban.

"I am aware about the recent Government notification on cattle ban but I would like to clarify that as per the Bible, eating beef is allowed," he said.