The government Wednesday told Rajya Sabha that it was against any discussion on the “beef ban” imposed by the BJP-led government in Maharashtra as it was a “sensitive” and “emotional” issue.

Requesting the chair not to allow a discussion on the issue, which was raised by TMC’s Derek O’Brien during Zero Hour, MoS for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “This is a very sensitive issue. Please do not allow a discussion on this issue. Yeh logon ki bhavnaon se juda hua sawaal hai. Jisko desh gaumata kehta hai, aap uski hatya ki yahan par charcha karana chahte hain? Hum iske khilaaf hain (This is an issue associated with the emotions of people.

You want a discussion on killing an animal that the nation considers as sacred? We are against this).”

O’Brien had sought a discussion, saying beef was the “poor man’s protein”, and that the issue should not viewed through the “prism of religion” as many people, apart from minorities, including Dalits and those in the Northeast, ate beef. “In Maharashtra, fine for a sexual harassment case is less than that for eating a particular meat,” he said.

Several MPs, including Ali Anwar Ansari (JD-U), Husain Dalwai (Congress), Baishnab Parida (BJD), P Rajeev (CPM) and D Raja (CPI), joined the issue. However, a note of dissent came from SP’s Naresh Agrawal, who agreed with the government’s stand.

Slamming the ban, O’Brien said it would lead to a rise in the prices of other meat and fish; increase pressure on farmers to feed old and sick animals; and affect those who trade in the meat.

“What are we coming to? It is my liberty. I am married to a Hindu girl. I don’t eat beef at home because that is my choice. Please let us not remove the unity in diversity. I respect anyone else who wants to eat vegetable, fish, chicken and mutton… By doing this, the fabric of this great nation is being changed.”

O’Brien, however, was interrupted by Treasury benches. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien finally intervened, saying no discussion would be allowed but added that every member had a right to raise any issue of public interest.

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