Beef ban in Kashmir: For religious tolerance, BJP leader hosts ‘beef party’

Srinagar, Sept 13: Despite court order directing state government to implement ban on sale of beef, a BJP leader reportedly threw a "beef party" on Sunday in Kashmir.

Khursheed Ahmad Malik, a BJP leader from south Kashmir, said he will invite Hindus and Muslims to the party to send a "message of religious tolerance".

"I have decided to organise a party for both Hindus and Muslims. The Muslims will be served beef and the Hindus an exclusively vegetarian meal," Malik told The Sunday Express.

"This party will send a message of religious tolerance, brotherhood and secularism. Apart from politics, I am a Muslim. I can't compromise on my religious faith, not at all. The court direction for implementation of the ban on sale of beef has snowballed into a controversy in Kashmir with Muslim leaders calling it "interference in religion," Malik was further quoted as saying.

Authorities had imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar to maintain law and order in view of the strike called by separatist groups to protest the High Court order on implementation of beef ban in the state.

"Restrictions have been imposed in some police station areas of Srinagar city to maintain law and order," a police official said.

He said the restrictions on the movement of people have been imposed in police station areas of Nowhatta, Khanyar, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Safa Kadal, Kralkhud and Maisuma. The official said it is a preventive measure to maintain law and order in the city.

Various separatist groups, including both the factions of Hurriyat Conference and JKLF, have called for a shutdown today against the High Court ruling, which ordered the police to strictly implement the beef ban in the state.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)