The City police foiled a beef eating festival organised here on Sunday to protest against the public flogging of Dalits in Una, Gujarat.

A strong contingent of police was deployed at Town Hall, the proposed venue of the beef eating festival, organised by Dalit Welfare Trust and other progressive organisations.

When an autorickshaw carrying the beef dish reached the venue, the police seized the vehicle and took the two persons into preventive custody. The members and supporters of the Trust were also prevented from entering the Town Hall premises with beef.

“The police denied us permission to hold the beef eating protest by citing a threat to law and order situation. We relented as we did not want to pose a threat to law and order,” said K Shivaram, president of Karnataka State Backward Classes Federation, who was present at the venue.

The supporters of the beef festival, who reached the venue, were frisked by the police. However, the protestors held a demonstration near the statue of Dr. B R Ambedkar in Town Hall premises.

Meanwhile, Mr. Shivaram welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement condemning Gau Rakshaks or cow vigilantes and describing them as anti-social elements.