The Meghalaya Assembly passed a resolution opposing the Centre’s directive passed by the Ministry of Environment & Forests on May 27 last, seeking to ban the sale and slaughter of cattle. This is more than a political positioning since the Assembly vote on the issue was unanimous. For the first time perhaps, the MLAs have closed ranks and are of one mind on the issue of beef ban which is seen as an attempt to intrude into the food habits of the tribal people here. Beef may be taboo for certain sections in this country but for the tribes of the North Eastern region it is a staple food that provides proteins to the poor and to pregnant and lactating mothers, as beef is still the cheapest meat by far, selling at Rs 240 a kilogram. When we speak of beef as a food item it has to be noted that people don’t consume meat as a meal in itself as is done in western countries where a beef steak can weigh up to 250 grams apiece and be eaten by one person. Here beef is cut into pieces of one inch square and hence a kilogram can last a family of seven or eight for two meal times. Most often it is the beef stock that provides the nutrition since families cannot afford to feed their members the quantum of beef prescribed as a nutritional need.
Meghalaya may be a pluralistic society and may have its share of non-beef eating populace but it is primarily the home of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes and prohibiting the sale and slaughter of cattle impinges on their culinary taste. But the beef ban is also seen as the BJP Government’s encroachment into the culture and tradition of the people here. The lynching of people carrying beef or selling it in different parts of the country, by Gau Rakshaks (cow vigilantes) who are perceived as having the tacit approval of the Central Government is viewed with trepidation here. It is not a good feeling to have one’s eating habits controlled by a diktat. This may be one step towards the curtailment of our freedoms. For once the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly is echoing the voice of the people here!