Despite a ban,beef dishes dot menus of several eateries

On Saturday,‘The Frog Prince’ was allegedly found serving ‘steak’. Most commonly,steak is referred to meat taken from high-quality beef. When the Indian Express team reached the spot,one of the staff members confirmed that the dish was being prepared from beef. However,Sonia Mahendru,consultant of the restaurant,said that the dish was prepared from buffalo meat and not cow meat. “Our staff member must be ill-informed on the matter. We do not use cow meat,” she added.

Taking note of the matter, Gau Gram Sewa Samiti staged a protest outside the restaurant. Ramesh Singal of the organisation told Ludhiana Newsline,“We will confirm if the dish is prepared from cow meat. Samples of the meat used will be sent to labs for verification.”

Asked if the health department could keep a check on the issue,district health officer Dr Abnash Gupta said,“We are studying the laws to figure out if we can keep a check on selling beef,but unfortunately the law is silent on the issue.”

However,Advocate Harpreet Sandhu said,“Although religious sentiments lead to enactment of such laws,Article 48 of the Indian Constitution directs states to protect cows as part of the effort to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern lines. Restaurants need to prove that the beef they serve is imported in sealed containers from outside Punjab,as selling beef in the state is banned.”

Police commissioner P S Gill said that sale of beef was banned and if any such case was brought to their notice,then action would be taken.

“Beef is easily available in Ludhiana,especially at Muslim-dominated areas. Even some eateries on request serve beef and buff,” said a resident on condition of anonymity.